Arkansas has signed head coach Courtney Deifel to a long-term contract extension.
The new deal is a 5-year pact that will run through the 2027 season and also includes two one-year extensions that can be triggered based on the program’s appearance in the NCAA tournament.
In a statement, Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek said, “The phenomenal success of our softball program is a credit to many, including our student-athletes, assistant coaches and staff, however, it is unquestionably a tangible result of the outstanding leadership of Coach Courtney Deifel. Coach Deifel has proven herself to be one of the top coaches in the country and has established Razorback Softball as one of the premier collegiate softball programs within the Southeastern Conference and nationally. We are excited that Coach Deifel will continue to lead our program for years to come as we compete for SEC and NCAA championships.”
During her seven seasons at the helm in Fayetteville, Deifel has turned the Arkansas program around. After winning one conference game in her first year, the program has since earned three SEC championships, including two regular-season titles and the 2022 conference tournament crown, and made five NCAA tournament appearances. The Hogs hosted a regional in 2018, 2021, and 2022 and advanced to the Super Regionals in all three years.
“I cannot thank Hunter and the University of Arkansas enough for their continued belief in me and my staff to lead this program,” Deifel said in her statement. “I am incredibly proud of what we have built here and equally humbled by the opportunity to continue to be the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Our success is the product of the shared efforts of our student-athletes, assistant coaches, support staff, administrators, Razorback Foundation members and fans. I look forward to working together as we accomplish even more of our goals for many years to come. And last but not least, Arkansas is our family’s home. My boys are Arkansans, and this an unbelievable community for us to raise them.”
