MSU softball has new coach: MSU to introduce Stuedeman as softball coach

[bama87]

Mississippi State’s search for its next softball coach ended Wednesday with a Southeastern Conference assistant at the top of the list.

Former Alabama assistant coach Vann Stuedeman accepted the MSU job Wednesday and an official announcement is expected Thursday, according to sources familiar with the decision.

Stuedeman replaces Jay Miller, who was fired May 18 after the Lady Bulldogs compiled a 24-32 record and missed the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year.

Stuedeman brings a strong pitching pedigree to MSU after serving as Alabama’s pitching coach for 11 seasons. Under Stuedeman’s guidance, the Tide produced at least one All-American pitcher in each of the last six seasons. The Tide pitching staff finished with a team earned-run average of 1.69 this season, which resulted in a 53-10 record and an appearance in the College World Series.

Alabama pitchers have tossed 22 no-hitters, including a school record five in 2009 and 2011, with Stuedeman as the pitching coach. Alabama pitchers posted a record of 579-149 (.795) in her 11 seasons as well.

Stuedeman was fired at Alabama on June 13 by coach Patrick Murphy, who provided the softball world some highly dramatic moments after accepting the LSU job on June 9. Murphy had a change of heart in Baton Rouge and reneged his agreement with LSU to return to Alabama on June 12.

Hours later, Murphy made it official: Stuedeman would not be back for a 12th season. He called the firing a “business decision,” according to AL.com.

On the team’s website, Murphy had high praise for Stuedeman entering the 2011 season:

“Vann has been a huge part of our success on the mound the past several years. I don’t think a school in the country besides Alabama can say they have had nine 20-game winners the past six years. Our philosophy has always been to have a good ‘pitching staff’ and Vann has accomplished that with great pitching performances by several young ladies. I think a key indicator of a good coach is the improvement of the athletes over their careers. Our pitchers have always gotten better.

[Jamos]

Congrats to her and I think it was a good hire for State. I think also that Bama needed a change in their program and we'll only know later on down the road how much of a loss, if any, it was to the Bama program.

[pmull]

I am glad Stuedeman got the job. She was the pitching coach at Bama for 11 years and produced one All-American after another. I never knew if the pitching credit should go to her or CPM.

I have wondered if she was asked to go to LSU with CPM and chose to stay or if CPM had already made up his mind to make a change.

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