Memphis softball coach Natalie Poole resigns after 11 seasons

Memphis softball coach Natalie Poole resigned Thursday after 11 seasons overseeing the program.

Poole was hired in 2012 as the second softball coach in program history. She previously was coach for three seasons at McNeese State, her alma mater, and also coach at Georgia Southern from 2002-08.

Poole went 241-340 in her tenure, including 16-38 last season.

“I would like to thank (athletic director) Laird (Veatch) and the University of Memphis for allowing me the honor of being their head softball coach for the past eleven years,” Poole said in a school release. “I am thankful for all the support staff in the athletic department and coaching staff members that have worked alongside me throughout my time here. I would also like to thank all the student-athletes that have played and are currently playing for the Tiger softball program. They have impacted my life in a positive way, and I will always be their biggest fan. I wish them and this program all the best in its future.”

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Natalie Poole has been the Memphis women’s softball coach for 10 years.

In 2018, Memphis went 37-21 and set single-season program records for wins, batting average (.308), hits (468), runs scored (288) and runs batted in (260). Since that season, the Tigers finished under .500 in three of the next four years. They went 16-9 in 2020 before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Poole is the third Memphis coach to step down this year. Baseball coach Daron Schoenrock and women’s golf coach Beth Harrelson also retired following their respective seasons.

Memphis hired Kerrick Jackson as its new baseball coach in May and promoted Morgan Phillips to rifle coach after serving on an interim basis last season.

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Veatch said a national search will begin for the Tigers’ next softball coach.

“We want to thank Natalie for her dedication and contributions to Memphis softball these past eleven years,” Veatch said. “I have a great respect for Natalie and wish her and her family well in their future endeavors.”

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis softball coach Natalie Poole resigns after 11 seasons