FORT MYERS, Fla. – FGCU Softball and head coach David Deiros hires Michele DePolo as an assistant coach Monday.
DePolo arrives to the City of Palms after a three-year stint as the head coach of Tennessee Tech (2020-2022), a member of the Ohio-Valley Conference. DePolo joins fellow assistant Jenna Modic-Blythers, who was also hired as an assistant coach back in July to specialize in the Eagle offense.
“We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Michelle’s caliber and experience to guide our pitchers this year,” Deiros said. “However, she brings so much more to the table because she pitched and played the field as a player, served as an assistant coach in multiple disciplines and has been a head coach for many years. We are looking forward to a fantastic season as she completes our talented and versatile staff.”
DePolo compiled a 61-61 record and 26-34 mark in conference action at Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles finished the 2022 campaign 32-22, recording the most wins and also capturing its first OVC tournament win since 2015.
Before Tennessee Tech, DePolo served as the head coach of Army softball for nine seasons (2010-2018). She was named the first female head coach of the program in 2009.
In her very first season at the helm of the Black Knights (2010), she earned Patriot League Coach of the Year distinction while leading Army to a regular-season title (first since 1992) and tied the school record for conference (15) and overall single-season wins (33).
The Black Knights also garnered statistical national spotlight in 2010 with the 25th most doubles in the country. Army also ranked first in th OVC in pitching and fielding in 2010, second in 2011 and in 2012.
In 2016, DePolo’s Patriot League runner-up squad posted the winningest season in program history (39), breaking her own Army record of 37 from 2012. DePolo, who also served as the pitching coach for the Black Knights, mentored nation’s leader in saves.
In 2018, she led Army to its fourth consecutive Patriot League Tournament appearance as the Black Knights finished the campaign with double-digit league victories for the third straight year.
DePolo became the second winningest coach in program history with 280 wins in her six winning seasons. Her academy student-athletes combined to earn 18 Patriot League honors and 11 first-team accolades.
Before Army, she made assistant coaching stops at Georgian Court University (2004-05), Smith College (2005-06) and Amherst College (2006-07).
DePolo graduated magna cum laude from Georgian Court in 2003. On the diamond, DePolo became a two-year team captain on both sides of the ball guiding her team to four Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference titles, three Region X championships, three national tournament appearances and an ECAC crown.
As an All-CACC Tournament pick in 2001, DePolo recorded a 0.50 ERA in the circle. She was inducted in the Georgian Court Hall of Fame in 2012.
