Softball Training: Former Tennessee Vols Coach Marc Weekly Finds “True Calling” Establishing His Own Hitting Academy

You may recognize Marc Weekly as the former first base coach for the Tennessee Lady Vols, although his face was partially obscured last season behind the COVID-required mask.

And if you follow college softball—and if you’re reading this article, you probably do!—you very likely are familiar with the name “Weekly.”

Marc served on the UT Softball coaching staff off and on for 12 years and at the conclusion of his most recent stint beginning in 2019, he had the opportunity to move into the role of a full-time coach with the retirement of his father, former co-head coach, Ralph Weekly.

He certainly had the resume to do so: the Vols hitters he worked with finished in the Top 4 in the SEC and Top 20 nationally in many offensive categories.

However, in recent years, Marc was realizing that his true calling was elsewhere. Weekly explains his reason to step down from his position on the field at the college level.

“I was very fortunate to coach with Hall of Fame Coaches Ralph and Karen Weekly,” he begins. “With Ralph’s retirement and Karen taking the reins as the Head Coach, I was in a great position with a SEC team. Ultimately, however, I realized that my real passion is helping kids develop their swing while they navigate the world of travel softball in search of a college home if that fits their ability.”

The Weekly name is certainly well-known in the softball world, with his father and stepmom building great programs at Pacific Lutheran, Tennessee-Chattanooga and Tennessee.

But how exactly did Marc get into the “family business?”

A standout multi-sport high school athlete, Marc was recruited in both baseball and football. After college he was offered a minor league baseball contract, yet he chose pro football instead.

He credits having the best hitting instructor in his dad for helping him succeed on the diamond. Ralph was selected as a hitting coach for the first two U.S. Olympic Softball teams from Pacific Lutheran and, during their time there, Marc served as a counselor at Ralph’s summer camps at PLU.

His softball experiences grew from there as he continued in the same role under Ralph and Karen when they moved to UT Chattanooga and then on to Tennessee. By the time Marc’s own daughter developed an interest in playing softball at a more competitive level, he was making a name for himself as a hitting instructor.

At the same time, he began coaching some prominent championship travel teams—the Tennessee Hustle, Birmingham Thunderbolts, and the Tennessee Fury – Weekly—which expanded his network of both players and fellow coaches.

Along the way, Marc earned his B.A. at PLU and his Master’s in Education at Tennessee-Chattanooga. Softball and teaching were factors in his life, he recalls, but they did not fully merge into his new venture until recently.

“I learned very early that I wanted to be more of a teacher than a coach,” he says, “even though I was experiencing success in coaching.”

That success included winning numerous club championships and he also led high school teams to three state titles at The King’s Academy (a private Christian school in Seymour, Tennessee) as well as being on the field to coach in seven World Series with Tennessee.

Still, Marc felt that his calling was elsewhere.

“Throughout all of my coaching experiences, I was always more drawn to the developmental side of the player, seeing them have a ‘lightbulb moment’ when something clicks for them,” he explains, “and then being able to track their progress as they age through the levels of play. Also, in both a funny and truthful way, not having the responsibility of making a lineup sure seems to keep parents happy with me!”

Although Marc had given hitting instruction for many years, the full evolution of opening his own name-branded hitting facility took some time.

“Through my years of coaching, I always found working individually with players in small groups to be effective. I like to work on developing their swings and helping guide them and their parents during the pivotal years of preparing for college.”

He particularly enjoyed working with young players at the prep level and the successful results showed that the coach’s methods were fruitful.

“When I started the softball program at The King’s Academy, we did not have a field or any players… just a vision,” he remembers. “Within the next five years, we would play for the state title four of the five years, winning three. We challenged ourselves by playing the toughest non-conference schedule against state champion caliber teams at all divisions winning 85 percent of those games and eventually being selected 23^rd nationally for all level schools.”

During that time, Marc started hosting camps and clinics at various sites and the events began attracting both local and out-of-state players. Through the success of these early years, the idea of the Marc Weekly Hitting Academy was born, but the implementation of the dream would be put on hold for a bit longer.

When the opportunity arose to return to Tennessee and coach with his father, Marc accepted the role as the Vols’ hitting coach.

“When I transitioned back to Tennessee,” he says, “I was able to continue offering hitting instruction to younger athletes (non-prospective student-athletes) under NCAA guidelines thanks to the tremendous compliance staff at Tennessee.”

Coach Karen Weekly gave high praise to Marc at the time of his his return to the SEC school.

“I am thrilled that Marc will be re-joining our staff after a six-year hiatus,” she said in a released statement. “Our former players who worked with Marc during his first stint remember him as an exceptional teacher and communicator. He has a passion for studying and learning the game, and his growth as a head coach these past six years make him an even more valuable asset to our team and staff. He has the distinction of winning a high school championship and a USA Softball Championship in his final high school and travel ball games.”

After two years back in the powerhouse SEC program, however, Marc began to realize more and more that his calling was to work with the younger players.

“It was very hard to tell all the (Tennessee) players I was going a different direction,” he remembers. “You build such amazing bonds with each of them as you grind every day in the SEC. I love keeping in touch with them and being there if they need me. I knew Karen would put together a powerhouse hitting staff and, with Chris and Kate Malveaux, they are in great shape.”

It’s not like he didn’t have a great run on the college side; in the nine years Marc was on the staff at Tennessee, the Lady Vols reached the College World Series seven times, compiling a record of 423-122-1 in that stretch.

Today, the Marc Weekly Hitting Academy is thriving with locations in Seymour, Tennessee—just outside of Knoxville—and also in Lebanon, Tennessee at Friendship Christian School.

The instructor works with about 100 athletes each month and says, “I would like to do more, but we are just limited on our space.”

There are also 40-plus and growing on a wait list to train at the Hitting Academy.

Still, it’s a competitive world in teaching and instruction so how does the championship-winning coach differentiate his hitting philosophy in today’s softball landscape?

 “It’s hard to sum up and tell you all my thoughts on hitting,” he begins, “but I can tell you what it’s not. In any given sport, athletes are inundated with buzzwords and gurus spouting the next big thing. It can get very confusing for both players and well-meaning parents as they seek out ways to elevate their game.”

“While there is an abundance of great information out there,” the coach continues, “I think it is vital to consider both the age and acumen of the individual when determining instructional strategy. Can they handle the information at 10U versus elite travel? I focus on the individual and not a cookie cutter formula utilizing the latest cool catchphrases like  ‘launch angle’ and ‘exit velo.’ I certainly know that those concepts are important for success, but they have to make sense to the player.”

Marc stresses that it’s important to find out exactly what each student wants and needs in their training and development.

“I see it as more than offering hitting lessons once a week,” he explains. “When an athlete is part of my hitting academy, I’m there as a facilitator for their softball journey. Some just want to be great high school players, others are searching for the right fit in travel ball, and as they get older, most are searching for the right fit to continue playing at the collegiate level.”

“Through my years in the sport, I’ve been fortunate to develop an extensive network of contacts that enable me to facilitate those connections for my players when they are ready. The main thing I tell all of my players and their parents regarding college softball is to find the right fit for you.”

“One question I always ask is ‘Do you want to wear a jersey or do you want to play?’ And, I say that with no judgment. Many athletes are content to be on a team at whatever school they want and possibly pay a lot of money for it. For others, the true possibility of playing time is very important. Sometimes kids and parents get hyper focused on Division 1 when there are so many wonderful schools and programs at all levels they may be a better fit. I offer honest evaluations and help them find college homes that suit their abilities and set them up for success. Once they walk on campus, the rest is up to them!”

Former and current players are fans of his approach as well.

Sarah Fekete Bailey, a two-time All-American at Tennessee and the current head coach at Alcoa (Tennessee) High, has experience with Marc at the high school and college levels.

“I’ve had the unique opportunity to be coached by Marc during my time with the Lady Vols and have coached against him and his players during high school ball. Now, I get to observe his instructional process as a parent of a prospective collegiate player.”

“Marc instills competitive practices in his Hitting Academy through game-like situational drills to enhance all types of athletes,” Sarah says. “His hitters are known for their disciplined approach at the plate and are always capable of inflicting damage at any count. Marc challenges his hitters mentally and physically and he knows hitting. plain and simple.”

Another athlete with an up-close perspective is Addison Pressley, who plays for the Farragut (Tennessee) High 2021 state champs and is a 2024 grad who works out at the Hitting Academy.

“I’ve known Coach ‘W’ since 2017 when I went to his camp at The King’s Academy,” she recalls. “I was 10 years old, and I was just starting out in travel ball. His camps were the best! They were always very well run and packed full of instruction and reps. I look forward to my time in the cage with Coach ‘W.’ His knowledge of the game and hitting expertise are what brings people to him. He’s honest and encouraging and knows when to be a little tough when I need it.”

“But what Coach W brings to his students outside of the cage is what makes him even more amazing. He knows so many people in the softball world and he doesn’t hesitate to reach out to them. He’s helped me get into wait-listed camps and into the top groups to help me get seen by coaches.”

For Marc Weekly, it’s about finding the right fit, for the athletes and their families when it comes to finding the right college fit, yes, but also the right instructors.

The coach feels that his niche is helping them all find happiness on their softball journeys.

“I am happy to celebrate their successes and look for adjustments when they’re struggling,” he concludes.

“It’s just been so rewarding.”

—Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball

We’re excited to announce that Marc will be writing for Extra Inning Softball and is happy to answer any questions on hitting or any other subject relevant to fastpitch. If you have a question, send to info@extrainningsoftball.com.