Wendy Hogue resigns as Southern Miss Softball Coach

HATTIESBURG, MS (WLBT) - Southern Miss head softball coach Wendy Hogue resigned Friday after five years at the helm.

"What an honor and blessing it has been to be a part of Southern Miss Athletics for the past five years," she said. "The opportunity to lead your softball program has been so very rewarding in most every aspect. However, there is one area in which doing this job to the best of my ability leaves a void, and that's time with my family. When blessed with the opportunity to join Southern Miss five years ago, Kinley was 10 and barely big enough to ride in the front seat. Now she's driving, and she's involved in so many extra-curricular activities. Keaton was a toddler without a care in the world. Now, he's a seven-year-old who is passionate about everything and wants to play every sport under the sun.

"Though I love being a Golden Eagle, I hope you'll understand that for this season of life it is best for me to step away from coaching at the Division I level and pursue an option that allows me to be more present with my family. Southern Miss is a great place. I'm forever grateful to be a Golden Eagle. Now and always, Southern Miss, to the top!"

The Golden Eagles amassed a 124-146 record over Hogue's five-year tenure, featuring a pair of wins over Ole Miss, a doubleheader sweep of No. 11 Louisiana and another victory over No. 21 South Alabama. The 2016 team, her second on staff, captured the C-USA West Division co-championship. That squad, as well as the 2019 one, matched the most wins (30) since 2004, and this year's team put together an 11-game win streak, the longest since the 2000 WCWS season.

This season's Southern Miss squad also boasted four All-Conference USA members, including Abby Trahan (Pitcher of the Year), Destini Brown, Lacey Sumerlin (both first-team) and Karley Nichols (second-team).

"I want to thank Wendy Hogue for her leadership of the Southern Miss softball program," said Jeremy McClain, Southern Miss Director of Athletics. "She has had a positive impact on those around her, and there is no doubt that she has left this program in a better place than it was four years ago when she arrived. Selfishly, I am disappointed that I will not be able to work with her again moving forward. However, I have the utmost respect for her decision to do what she feels is best for her family."

A national search for the next head coach will begin immediately.