Memphis is expected to name Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro as the program’s new head coach, sources confirmed to Extra Inning Softball.
VanBrakle Prothro spent the last eleven seasons as the pitching coach at Alabama, her alma mater. She was part of the coaching staff that led the Crimson Tide to the national championship in 2012, as well as six Women’s College World Series berths in total during her tenure.
Pitchers to come from under Van Brakle Prothro’s tutelage include Jackie Traina, Alexis Osorio, Sydney Littlejohn, and Montana Fouts, as well as Sarah Cornell who received SEC Pitcher of the Year honors in 2019 after transferring to the Crimson Tide from Hofstra.
Prior to beginning her lengthy tenure at Alabama, Van Brakle spent one year as the head coach at Samford and two years as head coach at Birmingham Southern. Samford was 14-40 during her single season, though Birmingham-Southern recorded a 57-14 record under her shepherding.
Memphis finished the 2022 season with a 16-38 overall record and a 2-16 showing in American Athletic Conference play.