Ohio State Buckeyes softball head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly has led the team for the past 12 seasons, guiding the Buckeyes to five NCAA Regional appearances. But after a stretch of disappointing seasons, the team has decided to move on from their longtime coach and bring in somebody new.
On Monday afternoon, Ohio State officially announced that the team was parting ways with head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly after 12 seasons leading the program.
“On behalf of the department, I want to thank Kelly for her leadership of the program and for the positive impact, both on and off the field, on the many student-athletes who wore the Scarlet and Gray during her tenure,” Ohio State executive associate athletic director Mike Penner said in a statement from the university.
The move comes after Ohio State missed the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season and the fourth time in five years – which is not an acceptable outcome for the Buckeyes.
It was a pretty significant move in the softball world and it led to a lot of reactions on social media.
Too much talent on that team for her to not at least make the playoffs. https://t.co/HZn79HcQgv
— Tsportz (@buckeyesports01) May 13, 2024
I must say, this is the most encouraging thing I’ve read all day! We cannot dismiss/make excuses for the performance in non-revenue sports – her record is better by almost every metric than Men’s lacrosse.
— Fire Nick Myers (@FireNickMyera) May 14, 2024
Overdue. Go get Coach Himes at Kentucky
— Brian Anderson (@basoftballcoach) May 13, 2024
How about bringing in a big name coach this time and not a MAC level coach. Bring in a name that attracts top talent.
— Sam (@speff14) May 13, 2024
Wow fired. That’s unfortunate.
— Carolyn (@Carolyn06369986) May 13, 2024
About time! Bring OU Bobcats coach to Ohio State!🥎😎
— Angelo Forte (@AngeloForte10) May 13, 2024
Much needed!
— 𝚁𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚕 (@RmannyCLE) May 13, 2024
Ohio State will now be looking for a new head coach to lead the program, and that search will begin immediately.
