For more information contact: Dan Nolan 309-457-2322, dnolan@monmouthcollege.edu
Monmouth College softball coach John Goddard – the winningest coach in Scots’ softball history – has a clear vision for the 2020 season, telling his team this season will be his last in the dugout.
“My body has spoken and it’s time to retire,” said Goddard, who will enter his 13th season at the helm after taking over the position in 2008. “For all things there is a season and my season is coming to a close.”
Entering the 2020 season, Goddard has amassed 211 wins, and he has the second-longest tenure of any active head coach in the Scots’ athletic department, trailing only track coach Roger Haynes, who also serves as the college’s director of athletics.
“John has had a tremendous impact on the department, both as the softball coach and the director of intramurals,” said Haynes. “He’s been a valuable member of the department and willing to do anything for anyone at any time. From the softball standpoint, he’s been a strong recruiter and set realistic goals for the women, which they’ve achieved more often than not. He’s guided the team to one of the most successful eras in our softball program history, both athletically and academically.”
In Goddard’s first 12 years, the team has earned 70 National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association (NFCA) All-American Scholar-Athlete awards and nearly 100 academic all-conference honors. On the field, Goddard guided the team to seven Midwest Conference tournaments, highlighted by a runner-up finish in 2016.
“Our runner-up in 2016 was especially memorable,” said Goddard. “Liz Hippen had thrown a five-inning no-hitter against Lake Forest to get us into the championship round without a loss. My only regret is that we never got the women a conference title or NCAA appearance. We’ve been competitive and we should be very good this year again.”
Under Goddard’s leadership, the team also produced 40 all-conference honorees, which included four Pitcher of the Year awards. Goddard also claimed Coach of the Year honors three times.
“It’s been an enjoyable ride, but the season does take a toll,” said Goddard, who’s now in his 70s. “I really enjoyed the daily grind, the recruiting, the travel and the practice. Thanks to Monmouth softball, I had the opportunity to meet many people I would not have encountered otherwise. In many ways, that’s what kept me going. We’ve made great strides with the program, but it’s time for me to retire and for the program to get a new set of eyes and progress the program farther.”
Goddard broke into the college ranks as an assistant under Kari Shimmin in 2005. He was elevated to head coach in 2008 and began a run even he didn’t expect.
“I really never thought I’d be entering my 13th season,” admitted Goddard. “I figured my body would tell me it was time to retire several years before now, but the team and the atmosphere I work in has kept me somewhat young.”
Goddard was quick to shift the credit for his longevity and success to those around him.
“I’ve got to thank (Sports Information Director) Dan Nolan for getting the ball rolling and recommending me to Coach Shimmin for the assistant coaching job way back in 2005,” he said. “A big ‘Thank you’ to Coach Shimmin for allowing me to be her assistant and then recommending me for the head coaching position, (former athletic director) Terry Glasgow for hiring me and (current AD) Roger Haynes for putting up with me for all these years, and the Monmouth family, but mostly, the past players and assistant coaches.”
Monmouth will
begin a nationwide search for Goddard’s successor immediately. The
Scots open the season at THE Spring Games in Clermont, Fla., March 8.
The home season begins March 24.
