MOBILE, Ala. - University of South Alabama softball head coach Becky Clark announced Monday the hiring of Coby Mackin as a new assistant coach to the Jaguar staff this upcoming season. 

Mackin joins the staff after spending this past season as head coach at the University of Mobile.  In her first season with the Rams, Mackin returned to her alma mater after taking a year off from coaching and guided UM to a 36-17 record.  Last season, Mackin led the Rams to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament title as well as the Region XIII Tournament championship.  Prior to arriving at Mobile, Mackin started the softball program at cross-town rival Spring Hill College.  In her eight seasons at Spring Hill, she recorded 289 wins with the Badgers.  For her career, Mackin sports a career mark of 309-159-3.

“Coby is a great fit for our program,” said Clark.  “She brings an extremely intelligent approach to the game as well as a tremendous work ethic. Historically, her teams have won and I have always respected her ability to get the most out of her pitchers. Her wealth of experience will be invaluable as we work to build the USA softball program into a national contender."

She has led four teams to the national tournament during her career, finishing as high as third with SHC in 1999.  As a head coach, Mackin has won two GCAC titles and was named the league’s Coach of the Year in 1999.  She has also coached both a GCAC Player and Pitcher of the Year during her career, as well as 11 NAIA All-Americans and 13 NAIA Academic All-Americans.  Mackin has also been fortunate enough to have 56 players earn all-GCAC honors under her direction.

"After being a head coach for nine years, I wouldn't want to work under just anyone,” said Mackin.  “Becky Clark is well-respected for her knowledge and abilities as a coach, and I'm honored that she asked me to join her staff.  This gives me the opportunity to focus on my specialty which is pitching, while also helping to build the program as a whole."

Not only are Clark and Mackin familiar with each other from their coaching days when the two were at Mobile and Spring Hill, respectively, but Mackin and Clark were also teammates in college.  Mackin was also a player under Clark, when the Jag skipper was an assistant at Mobile.

During her collegiate playing career, Mackin was a four-year letterwinner and was a member of four squads that advanced to the NAIA National Tournament.  She was a three-time NAIA Academic All-American and garnered First Team All-American honors in 1996.  After graduation, Mackin spent one season playing professionally in the Women’s Professional Fastpitch Association. 

Mackin, a Houston, Texas native, graduated from Mobile with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Spanish in 1996.  She is married to Lee Mackin, an alumnus of South Alabama and the couple had their first child, Marlee Kathryn Mackin, on April 16, 2007.