Carol Hutchins, NCAA's winningest softball coach, retires after 38 seasons with Michigan
A college softball legend is calling it a career.
Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins, the winningest softball coach in NCAA history, announced her retirement on Wednesday after 38 seasons with the Wolverines, the program announced.
The 65-year-old Hutchins, a Michigan State alum, arrived in Ann Arbor in 1983 as an assistant after a single season as head coach at Ferris State. Two years later, she ascended to the top spot and soon had a winning program in the works.
Hutchins' Wolverines posted an overall record of 1,707-555-5, a .755 win percentage, and won 22 Big Ten regular season titles, 10 Big Ten tournaments and the 2005 Women's College World Series. She became the winningest softball coach in 2016, then recaptured it earlier this year after being passed by Indiana's Mike Candrea, who retired last year.
Through it all, Michigan never posted a losing season.
Hutchins, an 18-time Big Ten coach of the year, also coached the U.S. national softball team in 2005, winning a silver medal at the Canada Cup.
Hutchins' full statement, via Michigan:
"I want to begin by expressing that today I am filled with pride, love, humility and gratitude," said Hutchins. "I have served as the head coach of Michigan softball for 38 years, and I am incredibly grateful to the university for this opportunity of a lifetime. I will forever bleed blue.
"There are countless people to thank, and I want to start with Bob DeCarolis for bringing me to Ann Arbor 40 years ago, and giving me this unbelievable opportunity. I have served nine athletic directors and want to express my gratitude to each of them for their continued commitment toward the growth of women's athletics and softball here at Michigan. I especially want to thank Warde Manuel and Lisa Savoury for their tremendous support for me personally and for our program.
"I am most thankful for the relationships that this sport has given me. I want to express my respect for and admiration to all of my coaching colleagues and rivals, as the competition has made softball one of the greatest sports in college athletics. I thank everyone who has ever served in a support role for Michigan softball, from our athletic trainers and strength coaches to academic counselors, equipment managers, field crew, and the list goes on. They have contributed greatly to our success, and their commitment is so appreciated. I especially want to thank the staffs that served Michigan with me over many years but in particular my longtime assistant coaches Jennifer Brundage and Bonnie Tholl, whose loyalty and commitment is unparalleled. I am forever indebted to and share all success with them.
"To the fans of Alumni Field, YOU are the BEST, and I will love you all forever. Thank you for creating one of the best environments in college softball. And to all the Women of Michigan softball, the alumnae who built this program since 1978, I am so honored to have been a part of your lives and journeys. You don't go to Michigan for four years, you go to Michigan for life. As a coach, my greatest joy and the ultimate reward has not been measured in wins and championships. Success is measured by the many, many people who fill your life.
"For today, goodbye. For tomorrow, good Luck. And forever, Go Blue!"
