The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Jimmy Kolaitis Announces Coaching Staff
7/6/2018 9:00:00 AM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UAB head softball coach Jimmy Kolaitis officially announced the hiring of Joe Guthrie and Courtnay foster as his assistant coaches on Friday.
Guthrie and Foster bring experience, passion and energy to the program as well as a history of winning and developing players into high achieving individuals on and off the field.
"I am extremely excited to add Joe Guthrie and Courtnay Foster to our staff," Kolaitis said. "They are both top notch coaches who bring a wealth of experience at the highest level of softball and both have been head coaches in their careers."
Joe Guthrie – Assistant Coach
Guthrie joins Kolaitis' staff after spending last season at Louisiana as an assistant coach with the Ragin' Cajuns. While there, Louisiana went 41-16, finishing second in the Sun Belt during the regular season and were runners-up in conference championship. Guthrie helped guide Louisiana to its 19th straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
"Coach Guthrie is very knowledgeable in every aspect of the game," Kolaitis said. "He is one of the best defensive coaches in the country and a top level recruiter. His background as a major league scout will be invaluable in recruiting top talent."
Prior to Louisiana, Guthrie sent time in the National Pro Fastpitch League with the Scrapyard Dogs in 2017, and as an assistant coach at Penn State (2014-16) and at Bucknell as a volunteer assistant coach for one season (2017). At Penn State, the Nittany Lions broke over 30 records as he coached six All-Big Ten selections, three All-Region selections and two players who earned All-Big Ten Tournament selections.
Guthrie spent six seasons as the head softball coach and assistant athletics director at Marion Military Institute in Marion, Ala. and also served as a scout in the Miami Marlins organization from 2006-07.
Courtnay Foster – Assistant Coach/Pitching Coach
Foster also joins Kolaitis' staff after spending the last year at Louisiana as a volunteer assistant coach and working with the Ragin' Cajuns pitchers. Before making the move to Louisiana, Foster was the head coach at Bucknell (2016-17) where she guided the Bison to a 50-43 record and saw four of her players earn five All-Patriot League awards.
"Coach Foster is a fierce competitor whose coaching style will fit right in with our staff," Kolaitis said. "She has been a head coach at the Division I level and she is one of the very best and brightest pitching coaches in the game. Courtnay has developed top notch pitchers everywhere she has been."
She also had a five-year stint (2011-15) as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Northwestern. With the Wildcats, she coached Kristen Wood and Amy Letourneau as they both led the Big Ten in strikeouts and ranked in the top 20 nationally in strikeouts in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
As a student-athlete for Northwestern, Foster was a three-time All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten selection, a two-time NFCA All-Mideast Region award winner and a 2005 NFCA All-American. She racked up 80 wins, 1,014 career strikeouts and led Northwestern to a WCWS victory over Alabama in 2006.
For more information on UAB softball, follow along on Twitter and Instagram (@uab_sb).
Guthrie and Foster bring experience, passion and energy to the program as well as a history of winning and developing players into high achieving individuals on and off the field.
"I am extremely excited to add Joe Guthrie and Courtnay Foster to our staff," Kolaitis said. "They are both top notch coaches who bring a wealth of experience at the highest level of softball and both have been head coaches in their careers."
Joe Guthrie – Assistant Coach
Guthrie joins Kolaitis' staff after spending last season at Louisiana as an assistant coach with the Ragin' Cajuns. While there, Louisiana went 41-16, finishing second in the Sun Belt during the regular season and were runners-up in conference championship. Guthrie helped guide Louisiana to its 19th straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
"Coach Guthrie is very knowledgeable in every aspect of the game," Kolaitis said. "He is one of the best defensive coaches in the country and a top level recruiter. His background as a major league scout will be invaluable in recruiting top talent."
Prior to Louisiana, Guthrie sent time in the National Pro Fastpitch League with the Scrapyard Dogs in 2017, and as an assistant coach at Penn State (2014-16) and at Bucknell as a volunteer assistant coach for one season (2017). At Penn State, the Nittany Lions broke over 30 records as he coached six All-Big Ten selections, three All-Region selections and two players who earned All-Big Ten Tournament selections.
Guthrie spent six seasons as the head softball coach and assistant athletics director at Marion Military Institute in Marion, Ala. and also served as a scout in the Miami Marlins organization from 2006-07.
Courtnay Foster – Assistant Coach/Pitching Coach
Foster also joins Kolaitis' staff after spending the last year at Louisiana as a volunteer assistant coach and working with the Ragin' Cajuns pitchers. Before making the move to Louisiana, Foster was the head coach at Bucknell (2016-17) where she guided the Bison to a 50-43 record and saw four of her players earn five All-Patriot League awards.
"Coach Foster is a fierce competitor whose coaching style will fit right in with our staff," Kolaitis said. "She has been a head coach at the Division I level and she is one of the very best and brightest pitching coaches in the game. Courtnay has developed top notch pitchers everywhere she has been."
She also had a five-year stint (2011-15) as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Northwestern. With the Wildcats, she coached Kristen Wood and Amy Letourneau as they both led the Big Ten in strikeouts and ranked in the top 20 nationally in strikeouts in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
As a student-athlete for Northwestern, Foster was a three-time All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten selection, a two-time NFCA All-Mideast Region award winner and a 2005 NFCA All-American. She racked up 80 wins, 1,014 career strikeouts and led Northwestern to a WCWS victory over Alabama in 2006.
For more information on UAB softball, follow along on Twitter and Instagram (@uab_sb).
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