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[ Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com ]

Coaches Leaving

Posted by Parent on April 29, 2025, 11:03 am

My daughter receives interest from lower- to mid-level Division I schools, but it seems like our bad luck is that the coaches either transition out or get let go. Any rumors on Illinois / Indiana / Wisconsin coaching staffs that may be leaving? It's just a waste of time and money to keep visiting camps. Just looking for your thoughts and opinions.

Re: Coaches Leaving

Posted by @Parent on April 30, 2025, 10:30 am, in reply to "Coaches Leaving"

To your question:

Illinois - Perry's contract is through 2027.

Indiana - Stanton is the same as above.

Wisconsin - Healy is signed through 2029.

Create your own odds on whether the coach will leave, be fired, or be extended prior to those dates. There is probably only one B1G "coach for life" in the Midwest - Drohan at NW.

I would be careful to avoid camps because you think the coach is leaving. First, that risk always exists - the coaches are under increasing pressure to win. Second, it's very likely they end up at another school. (Good recent area example is the pitching coach at Iowa who goes to Miami OH for one year and then becomes head coach when 2K took the OSU job.)

Camps are usually a longshot ROI unless the school has invited you, or you have the type of athletic ability that stands out so incredibly in the limited reps that coaches see you perform.

Instead, use the camps as a way to expose your daughter to the life of college athletics and to compare their abilities to others. Plus, while it's real money, a few hundred in hotels, gas, food and fees is NOTHING when the softball clock stops ticking... one day you'll give 10x that amount for a couple more days with your kid.

Re: Coaches Leaving

Posted by @@Parent on April 30, 2025, 11:32 am, in reply to "Re: Coaches Leaving"

Eastern Illinois - Just got there.
Western Illinois - They're not doing any better, but might go P4 Ass't.
Illinois State - Coach is a legacy hire from the past decade's staff, so I doubt she's leaving.

Re: Coaches Leaving

Posted by Confused on April 29, 2025, 5:47 pm, in reply to "Coaches Leaving"

Are you asking about Illinois/Indiana/Wisconsin like the P4 schools or about midmajor or division 2 programs in those states?

Re: Coaches Leaving

Posted by Campus Marti on April 29, 2025, 12:19 pm, in reply to "Coaches Leaving"

It took a while but eventually we figured out that attending camps (unless they are looking at you) can be a waste of bounty.

Re: Coaches Leaving

Posted by Fundraisers on April 29, 2025, 1:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Coaches Leaving"

Camps.... Most, if not all... seem to be fundraisers for the current roster..

Re: Coaches Leaving

Posted by Now what on April 29, 2025, 2:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Coaches Leaving"

If camps are a waste of time, then how do you get recruited???? Dont tell me they come to you, thats only the top 5%. My daughter has been to a couple of camps and they seem to be pretty valuable.

Re: Coaches Leaving

Posted by You’re Misleading on April 29, 2025, 2:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Coaches Leaving"

If the school has zero interest in you, then the camp is for fundraising purposes. If the coaches have interest, you should absolutely attend…

Re: Coaches Leaving

Posted by OP - Parent on April 29, 2025, 3:04 pm, in reply to "Re: Coaches Leaving"

Super cool advice. I've an older daughter who is a junior at a mid-sized school, so we've been through the process and understand what makes a camp "real." My actual question is whether anyone knows of an impending coaching turnover.

Re: Coaches Leaving

Posted by @OP on April 30, 2025, 8:07 am, in reply to "Re: Coaches Leaving"

Look at who's contract is over after the year and then make a guess, as that's what it is—a guessing game. Some schools care, others don't, and will resign a coach regardless of their record.

If a mid-major and coach is good with a winning track record, they might not leave next year, but who knows about the following years, you have mid-major head coaches leaving to become assistants on P4 teams.

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