As UCA says goodbye to coach David Kuhn, softball players can anticipate a familiar face stepping up to the plate to guide them to victory for years to come. 

Coach Jenny Parsons was promoted to head coach for the softball team once the news broke that coach Kuhn would be stepping down. 

According to coach Parsons, coach Kuhn plans to continue his coaching career at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

“Coach Kuhn is a great friend of mine. I will miss being able to hang with him daily,”

Parsons said. “He changed this program from the day he got here until today. He took this softball program to new levels that I hope to continue with that tradition.”

Coach Parsons has been working with UCA since the fall of 2011, nearing her ten year anniversary with the university. 

“I love our team, the culture and character of the players in our program, and the desire that they have to continue developing as athletes and students,” Parsons said. 

Coach Parsons worked at Nicholls State University for nine years prior to her employment at UCA. 

With more than 25 collective years of coaching experience, the UCA softball program is looking for more victories in the future with the change in positions. 

Coach Parsons studied Commercial Recreation Undergrad and Athletic Administration Graduate all at East Carolina University and has been playing softball her entire life. 

Coach Parsons did not expect the promotion from assistant to head coach, but was happy to accept the offer. COVID-19 did not have any influence or part of the decision from UCA. 

“Anytime there is a change in leadership you don’t always have to hire from within the program,” Parsons said. “I am appreciative of Dr. Teague for the opportunity.”

Coach Parsons explained that she does not plan to change her coaching techniques drastically as she steps into the new position of head coach. 

The team can “expect to have a coach that will push them to be the most successful student-athlete possible,” Parsons said.

The promotion to head coach will change interaction with the team “…In some ways because I will be the person that is in the leadership position but I have always been an approachable person that cares about their players,” Parsons said. “Yes, sometimes you have to have hard conversations but as long as I am honest and forthcoming with the players then they will always know where I stand.”

Coach Parsons is determined to continue the strong success of the past softball coaches and teams over the course of her time coaching at UCA. 

“As long as we put the effort in needed to be successful then we will let the chips fall where they may,” Parsons said. “But a strong effort usually has good results.”

With coach Parsons as head coach of the softball team, people can expect success from the team once the season starts up again.