The University of the Cumberlands has a new softball coach.
School officials announced Nicole Thompson would lead the Patriot softball program in the upcoming season in June.
In a social media announcement, Thompson explained, “Clearly I have heard some great things about this place, of how special it is, the home feel of it, and so when the phone call came, it was a little bit of a surprise honestly and very humbled that they wanted my family and I to come down and check it out.”
Thompson is the team’s fourth head coach since 2022.
She previously coached at both NAIA and NCAA Division II levels. Most recently, she led the Missouri Western State University Griffins to consecutive 32 wins seasons with a 64-39 overall record in her two seasons there.
Thompson is no stranger to Southeast Kentucky. She previously coached at Union College (now known as Union Commonwealth University) for three seasons and posted an 82-70 overall record. She was named the Appalachian Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2017.
Her coaching career began in Barbourville after she initially joined the school as assistant director for communications. She was initially named interim head coach before taking over the program full-time.
The Patriots are coming off a 40-21 season. The team advanced to the NAIA World Series for the fourth consecutive season.
