Sept. 27, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M softball head coach Jo Evans announced Monday the hiring of three-time All-American Megan Gibson as the volunteer pitching coach.
From Spring, Texas, Gibson played softball professionally the last three seasons in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league and will work primarily with the Aggie pitching staff and assist with hitting.
"I am thrilled to have Megan back in our program," said Evans. "She left quite a legacy as a player and she has the ability to make a similar impact as a coach. Megan has always been loyal to our program and was an integral part of the resurgence of Aggie softball. I know our players are excited to have her back in Aggieland and our staff looks forward to working with her on a daily basis."
Gibson led the Aggies to three Big 12 Championships and back-to-back appearances in the Women's College World Series (WCWS) her junior and senior seasons. She was the first Big 12 Conference player to be named both Pitcher and Player of the Year in the same season (2008). The pitcher/first baseman played her career under Evans and was selected as a finalist for the Honda Sports Award and USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year in '08.
"I'm really excited about the opportunity I've been given to coach at my alma mater," Gibson said. "I am familiar with the coaching staff and the softball program, and I know we will be competing at the highest level. I feel that I can learn a lot from this staff and program as well as pass on my knowledge of the game."
During her career at A&M, Gibson wrote her name in the record book in numerous top 10 categories. At the plate, she holds A&M career records for runs batted in (183), doubles (48), home runs (56), total bases (447), slugging percentage (.717) and walks (172). In the circle, she posted 88 wins, with a 1.91 ERA and 679 strikeouts in 711 and one-third innings pitched.
Additionally, Gibson was a four-time all-region selection, a four-time All-Big 12 honoree, a three-time member of the Big 12 All-Tournament Team and the 2008 Big 12 Championship Most Outstanding Player, a member of the 2008 WCWS All-Tournament Team and a National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American.
Gibson graduated from Texas A&M in May of 2008 with a bachelor's degree in sports management and was the second overall pick in the NPF Senior Draft. She played two seasons for the Philadelphia Force and competed in 2010 as a member of the Tennessee Diamonds. Gibson threw complete-game shutouts in her first two professional starts and boasted the third-best batting average in the league (.304) in 2010. She also played profession softball in Japan for the Denso softball team of Women's Major League Softball.
Gibson has also served as a graduate assistant coach at A&M, a softball instructor at High Performance Baseball, and a volunteer coach for the varsity softball team at Spring High School.
Gibson fills the spot vacated by two-time All-American and volunteer assistant Amanda Scarborough.
"Amanda did a great job in our program and we were disappointed when she decided not to continue her coaching career," said Evans. "The transition from Amanda to Megan will be very smooth, since both had great careers at A&M and have remained loyal and committed to Texas A&M softball."