Coaches

John Newman

The 15-year college softball veteran joins the Owls Athletic staff after serving as the assistant coach at South Dakota State University. As a member of the Jackrabbit staff from 2014-2017, Newman spearheaded the recruiting efforts and worked on the individual development of the team's hitters. With his help, South Dakota produced five All-Summit League Players, three Summit League All-Tournament Players and the 2016 Summit League Freshman of the Year. The offense also broke 26 school records in 2015 and nine in 2016 to total 35 records set during his tenure.


Before joining the South Dakota State program, Newman assisted Ron Simpson at Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C, serving two stints, one year in 2003 and four years in 2011-2014. During Newman's first season with the Methodist Monarchs, the team established a new program record for wins in a season with 38 and finished as the NCAA Division III Atlantic Regional runner-up. That team also finished 13th in the final NCAA Division III poll, a program best, and featured six All-DIAC selections, six Louisville Slugger/NFCA NCAA Division III All-Region players and a NCAA Division III All-American.


His second stint with the program produced a trio of All-USA South Conference pitchers and the 2012 USA South Athletic Conference Rookie Pitcher of the Year. During his four seasons, the program also had seven All-USA South Conference Players.


Rounding out Newman's coaching resume are times spent at the University of Ozarks, St. Louis Community College – Meramec, and the University of Missouri. As an assistant coach at University of the Ozarks from 2006-09, Newman served as the program's pitching coach and lead recruiter. He also assisted with the team's offensive development where he mentored the school's first two Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Region Players and three American Southwest Conference All-East Division Players.