Photo courtesy Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Utah Valley University filled its softball team’s coaching vacancy Tuesday with the announcement of the hiring of T.J. Hubbard.
Before his arrival at UVU, Hubbard began his Division I coaching career in 2004 and includes stops at North Texas, Louisiana and, most recently, Kansas. Hubbard brings experience to UVU coaching in the Women’s College World Series with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and Power 5 experience with the Kansas Jayhawks.
“Being in the Big 12 was nice, a nice experience being at the BCS level, but I’m looking forward to being a head coach and looking forward to the opportunities here at Utah Valley,” said Hubbard
While with Louisiana, Hubbard played a role in leading a top offense in the nation. In 2014, the Ragin’ Cajuns led the nation in home runs per game with 2.15 and finished second in scoring with 8.15 runs per game. Louisiana advanced to the Super Regional round of the WCWS that same season.
“Probably one of the biggest moments of my coaching career was in 2014, being able to coach at the College World Series and being able to go and play on that stage. Being down there in that atmosphere was a lot of fun, it was exciting,” said Hubbard
Hubbard comes to UVU after a season where the Wolverines played to a 9-43 record, including 3-12 in Western Athletic Conference play. While working to build a winning program, Hubbard says he wants the identity of the program to be a winning attitude.
“Winning attitude, winning championships. We’re going to stay positive through the process, but we’re hoping to win a lot of games the next few years,” said Hubbard.
With Hubbard at the helm, senior outfielder Courtney Beavers is ready with a winning attitude in her final season and expects the same from her teammates.
“I expect winning attitudes all the time, because it’s my senior year I want a winning season, want to end it with a bang,” said Beavers.
Prior to coaching softball, Hubbard played second base for Oklahoma Wesleyan University, where he studied exercise science and sports management. His career at OWU wrapped up in 2002, and the Oklahoma Native began his coaching career as an assistant with Seminole State College in Seminole, Oklahoma. While with SSC, Hubbard helped lead the Trojans to an NJCAA Region II title and a third-place finish at the NJCAA National Championships.
Hubbard will complete the fall exhibition season with UVU, which wraps up Oct. 12 at Wolverine Softball Field against USU Eastern at 4 p.m. MT. The Wolverines’ spring schedule is yet to be released.
Click here to listen to the rest of the interview with Coach Hubbard and Courtney Beavers.
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