LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Eleven member coaches were honored as 2023 Easton
/NFCA Assistant Coaches of the Year, the Association announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Garnering honors this year are Jennifer Rocha (University of Oklahoma / DI), Rose Imbriano (Concordia University Irvine / DII), Caitlin Wnek (University of Wisconsin-La Crosse / DIII), Skylar Hop (Mount Mercy University / NAIA), Jason Miller (Grayson College / NJCAA DI), Charli Crawford (Murray State College / NJCAA DII), William Collins (Rowan College South Jersey Gloucester Campus / NJCAA DIII), Cortney Magorian (Sierra College / Cal JC), Brianna Benoit (Southwestern Oregon Community College / NWAC), Nicki Cardosa (Wayland Union High School {Mich.}) and Dr. Kirk Newring (Gretna Storm 14U-C Rogers (Neb.) / Travel Ball).
These awards salute the efforts of coaches from the various NFCA membership categories for their tireless dedication to the sport of softball and to the continued education, growth and development of young women, both on and off the playing field. The winners will be recognized on Dec. 9 during the NFCA Convention's annual Awards Brunch.
The winners were nominated by NFCA member coaches and voted for by a panel of their peers on the NFCA Awards Committee.
NCAA Division I: Jennifer Rocha, Oklahoma
Rocha was instrumental in Oklahoma’s run to a third straight national championship, guiding the No. 1 pitching staff in NCAA Division I. Under her mentorship, Sooner pitchers posted Division I bests in ERA (0.96), shutouts (35) and total runs allowed (59 - less than one run per game), while surrendering over four runs just four times all season. Additionally, the staff held their Women’s College World Series opponents to a .154 batting average and three total run in five contests. Three OU hurlers eclipsed the 100-strikeout mark and the staff finished with 460 punchouts. It marks the second honor for Rocha, who collected the award in 2015 as a member of the University of Florida coaching staff.
NCAA Division II: Rose Imbriano, Concordia
Imbriano, who completed her 11th season with CUI in 2023, has helped mold CUI into one of the top programs in Division II and played a pivotal role in the success of the Golden Eagle pitching staff. This past year, CUI pitchers led the nation with a 1.11 ERA with five hurlers (50-plus innings) holding ERAs under 1.45. Since head coach Crystal Rosenthal added Athletic Director to her role at CUI, Imbriano has taken on a tremendous amount of responsibility to go along with her pitching coach duties (eight on 2023 roster). Additionally, she is in charge of player skill development, oversees all film (scouting and team improvement) and serves as the lead scout. Off the field, Imbriano is the team’s academic support for at-risk student-athletes.
NCAA Division III: Caitlin Wnek, Wisconsin-La Crosse
In her fifth season with UW-La Crosse, Wnek took over head coaching duties on March 26 through the end of the season, while head coach Chris Helixon recovered from aortic valve replacement surgery. In a successful stint leading the team, Wnek steered the Eagles to a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament title, which secured the league’s automatic NCAA Division III Regional bid. Additionally, UW-La Crosse posted a 20-8 WIAC regular season record and third-place regular season finish. Not only did she have success on the field, Wnek, who also serves as the Facilities and Events Coordinator, made arrangements to use community fields when the Mississippi River flooded their field after excessive April snow.
NAIA: Skylar Hop, Mount Mercy
Hop has been key to Mount Mercy winning over 30 games and making trips to the conference championship game in each of her first three seasons on the coaching staff, the most recent as associate head coach and pitching coach. Under her guidance, Hop mentored two-time Heart of America Pitcher of the Year Jayna Witzany. Not only does Hop oversee all aspects of the pitching staff, she also devises defensive game plans, works with outfielders, is in charge of analytics and is the Junior Varsity head coach. Off the field, Hop is involved in Mount Mercy’s tutoring center (ACE), creating tutoring schedules and mentoring groups, while also being involved in the hiring process of student workers. She also facilitates activities within the Champions of Character/volunteering opportunities for the University.
NJCAA DI: Jason Miller, Grayson College
An integral part of the Grayson College program, Miller helped guide the Vikings to 2023 Region 5 North Conference and Tournament titles. In addition to coaching duties, Miller serves as the program’s recruiting coordinator and oversees the maintenance of the field.
NJCAA DII: Charli Crawford, Murray State College
Crawford has served as the program’s volunteer assistant coach the past four years, seeing the Aggies record a 162-25 record and make three consecutive NJCAA Division II World Series appearances. Under Crawford’s mentorship, the pitching staff has improved statistically and holistically each season. A key contributor to this season’s on-the-field field success (56-0 record before the NJCAA DII World Series and No. 1 overall seed), Murray State pitchers recorded the second-lowest ERA in NJCAA Division II at 1.40. An online teacher for epic Charter School in Oklahoma, Crawford devotes her time outside of teaching by communites 40 minutes each way for practices and games.
NJCAA DIII: William Collins, Rowan College-Gloucester
Collins, who also served as an assistant fire chief for the state of New Jersey, helped the Roadrunners to a 35-win season, a national ranking of No. 3 in NJCAA Division III and the fifth-place showing at the national tournament. Working closely with the infielders on a daily basis, he has molded them into a cohesive unit. Tutoring the hitters and keeping them focused on the hitting philosophy, RCSJ-Gloucester finished in the top 10 in batting average (5th), on-base percentage (9th) and slugging (10th). Additionally, Collins works with the team on mental health and is able to show the student-athletes what it takes to commit to your softball program, job and family. He maintained his full-time job (recently promoted to Fire Chief), while balancing a 50-game softball schedule and practices five to six days a week.
Cal JC: Cortny Magorian, Sierra College
Magorian has served as Sierra’s assistant coach the past 13 seasons. Magorian works with the pitchers and catcher, developing bullpen workout and game-day pitch calling sequences with her main focus in game being calling pitches. In 2023, she was pivotal in the Wolverines earning their fifth State Championship berth, while posting a 43-5 record and Big 8 regular season title with a 23-1 mark. Under her direction, Sierra pitchers posted some of the top numbers in the 3C2A with a 1.39 ERA (2nd) with 18 shutouts (3rd) and a .185 batting average against (2nd).
NWAC: Brianna Benoit, Southwestern Oregon CC
Benoit helped the Lakers to a 48-3 overall record and the program’s first-ever NWAC Championship. Taking over the majority of the day-to-day coaching responsibilities, Benoit developed practice plans, arranged travel and monitored the team’s academics. She also focused on all the recruiting. She was part of the NWAC’s Southern Regional Coaching Staff of the Year and the NFCA’s ATEC NWAC National Coaching Staff of the Year.
High School: Nicki Cardosa, Wayland Union (Mich.)
Cardosa is an assistant coach at her alma mater, while also serving as a business teacher at Wayland Union. Coaching with her aunt, Cheri Ritz, Cardosa occupies the first base coaches box during games, assists with field maintenance and is the program’s official scorekeeper. Each season, she creates a team poster and also compiles the end of year stat and record book that dates back to the first year of the program (1975). Cardosa advises the Student Council and assists with academic and all-state honors. She also organizes the annual cancer game which raises thousands of dollars every year, along with leading the charge in numerous blood drives, a Harvest Hop for special needs children, the Red Glasses Movement in 2023 and Homecoming and Snowcoming activities.
Travel Ball: Dr. Kirk Newring, Gretna Storm 14U-C Rogers (Neb.)
Dr. Newring manages all aspects of equipment, including management of a comprehensive bat inventory, face mask, nets and gloves. He provides equipment education to the athletes and parents and works with the league leaders to enhance field maintenance and organization of equipment. In the greater Omaha area, Dr. Newring has created a non-profit 501c3 organization that provides higher quality equipment into the hands of the athletes, who may not have the means to do so. In addition to the equipment education, Dr. Newring, who is a licensed clinical psychologist, has provided mental game educational sessions, which includes the importance of hydration, nutrition, positive self-talk, focus and setting process versus outcome focused goals.
Celebrating 40 years in 2023, the NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded Easton/NFCA Assistant Coach of the Year awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to a comprehensive drills database, to in-person events and a National Convention.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 6,500 members today!
