For the last decade, Rachel Huggins has been a Bradley Brave. First as a college softball player, she then began her college coaching career at her alma mater as volunteer assistant. After a single season in that role, she was promoted to a full-time assistant’s position and served as the Braves’ primary hitting coach.
In late summer, Huggins was named the lead assistant on staff at Eastern Illinois. A native of Mount Zion, Illinois, Huggins remains in her home state in her new role.
Extra Inning Softball: When did you know that you wanted to pursue coaching as your career path?
Rachel Huggins: Quickly after graduating college I realized that I couldn’t stray far from the softball field. I called Amy Hayes and told her I was thinking about getting in to coaching and she gave me the opportunity to volunteer on her staff. I have had some really influential coaches in my playing career, all who have made a big impact on the person I am today, and I knew I wanted to be that person for future athletes to come.
Extra Inning Softball: Describe your coaching style. What do you feel are your biggest strengths as a coach?
Rachel Huggins: I’d say I’m big on creating an environment where players feel comfortable asking questions, where they understand how to fail forward, and building impactful relationships with each of them. I think that is definitely a strength of mine, the emphasis I put on building relationships with my players. I ask a lot of them athletically on a daily basis and its important to get to know each other and establish that trust so you can help them unlock their full potential.
Extra Inning Softball: Tell me what it was like coaching at your alma mater. Did that factor and familiarity make for an easier transition into coaching?
Rachel Huggins: Being able to coach alongside Amy at Bradley was really special. Not many people make it back to their alma maters so I’m fortunate to be one of those few. The familiarity definitely made it easier but also comes with its challenges in having to coach former teammates. Thankfully we had a good group of players who were on board with the vision we had for the program.
Extra Inning Softball: What drew you to the EIU position and made it attractive to you?
Rachel Huggins: I knew after my first conversation with Tara that we could create something special together at EIU. We’ve coached against each other in the MVC so I know first hand the type of competitor she is, the knowledge she has for the game, and seeing what she’s done in her short time at EIU – I knew I wanted to work for her. On top of that, Eastern is full of some pretty special people who truly care for each other and want to see their student athletes succeed.
Extra Inning Softball: After coaching for so long at the same school, now that you have made this change, how valuable is your experience in and knowledge of the recruiting region around you?
Rachel Huggins: It’s a huge piece, for sure. Recruiting is everything in our job and I’m fortunate to have developed some really strong relationships amongst the top travel organizations in the Midwest. Being born and raised in this area, I’m looking forward to continuing to recruiting local talent to EIU.
Extra Inning Softball: The last couple of years have not been easy for anyone in the coaching world… how have the challenges of the mid-pandemic times affected and influenced you and how you do what you do as a coach?
Rachel Huggins: I think if anything it made us appreciate the value of what we have/ do a lot more, at least for me it definitely did. We did the best we could to lead and navigate our kids through it all and become stronger from it. Kids today need us now more than ever so I keep that relationship piece at the forefront. Making sure they know we care about who they are as people not just about how they perform on the field.
Extra Inning Softball: Let’s say we’re having this conversation one year from now, once you have a full season under at EIU under your belt. What needs to have happened during that season for you to be able to say ‘this was a successful year’?
Rachel Huggins: The expectation of our program is to compete for championships, and I absolutely believe this team is capable of it. Establishing those relationships with them these next few months, developing their skill as players as well as leaders, and competing until the very end are my goals for us this season.
