O'Hair takes reins of softball program

Brooke O'Hair will lead the University of North Georgia (UNG) softball program boldly into the future as she aims for championships while developing student-athletes who impact their communities. As she embarks on that path, she will always remember her start in athletics and how it continues to shape her.

"Athletics changed my life growing up. No doubt about it. I would have been on a completely different path if it wasn't for sports and the coaches that poured into me and loved on me and all my teammates," O'Hair said. "You just get life when you're around people like that who inspire you to be the best version of yourself. They changed me, and I wanted to do that for other people. That's why I started, and that's why I still do it today."

UNG President Michael Shannon said O'Hair is poised to build on UNG softball's strong history that includes two national titles, a decade of consecutive Peach Belt Conference championships and numerous All-Americans. He sees her hiring as an integral part of the strategic big bet to "build the most competitive, value-added Division II athletic program in the nation."

"Today, we are poised to elevate that legacy even further," Shannon said. "This hire represents not just a strategic move for our athletics program, but a commitment to nurturing talent, fostering community spirit and elevating our tradition of excellence."

O'Hair, who was introduced at a Sept. 11 press conference and officially takes over as UNG head softball coach Sept. 16, spent the previous 18 seasons as head coach at Mississippi College. She tallied 530 victories and nine NCAA postseason appearances, including two Super Regional berths. O'Hair mentored seven National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Americans and 141 All-Region selections. She also led the program's transition from Division III to Division II.

The Chattanooga, Tennessee, native played for four years at Mississippi State University, reaching the NCAA regionals three times as part of the most successful era of Bulldog softball. O'Hair earned SEC All-Academic honors three times before graduating with a bachelor's degree in physical education. She also previously served as a volunteer assistant at Mississippi State.

"We bring in kids that want to be part of something bigger than themselves. We bring in kids that want to be part of a family culture. We bring in kids that are blue-collar, eat dirt, run through the wall to make plays for teammates," O'Hair said. "We want kids that want to win, but win the right way."

Mary Rob Plunkett, UNG director of athletics, said O'Hair made a great impression from the start.

"From the beginning of our search, we sought out a coach who was a strategic leader, who focused on the holistic development of each student-athlete, someone who embraced our storied traditions and championship mindset, an exceptional competitor, and a head coach that creates a culture built on respect and trust," Plunkett said. "From our initial conversations to sitting here today, there was never a doubt that Brooke O'Hair embodies and embraces those characteristics at her core."