LINE DRIVE’S TOP 50 NATIONAL CLUB COACHES

Line Drive Media put together a list of the Top 50 National Cub Coaches.

Here are #’s 50-41:

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50. Brian Madden, Oklahoma Athletics National-Madden:

Brian Madden, the son of Oklahoma Athletics founder Mike Madden, has been a major part in building the Oklahoma Athletics into one of the top programs in the Southwest. Madden, a fifth-year head coach at Southern Nazarene Softball, led his Oklahoma Athletics’ team to the Alliance 12U Tier 1 national championship in 2023. The Oklahoma Athletics were #7 in 18U Alliance and #3 in 14U Alliance at AFCS last summer. “Brian Madden is a great resource for whatever we needed,” Oklahoma State OF Libby Jaques said. “He worked so hard to make sure all of us got recruited, talking to college coaches and setting up camps. He came to our tournaments to cheer us on and was always available if we needed anything. When we won or placed high in big national tournaments, Brian and the A’s would reward us cool gifts! I loved my time with the A’s and can’t thank Brian and the organization enough for all they did for me!”

49. Kevin Hinde, Team NC-Hinde:

Kevin Hinde has become known for fostering D1 talent at the club and high school level in the South Atlantic Region. His Team NC team was #13 at PGF 18U Premier Nationals last summer. “Coach Kevin is the best coach I have ever had,” Appalachian State-bound P/1B Avery Ramey said. “He genuinely cares about all of his players and he has built an authentic culture with Team NC-Hinde and is deeply invested in our success both on and off the field. Throughout my recruiting process, he was an incredible source of support always willing to answer my questions, offer guidance and help me find the right fit. His knowledge of the game and the recruiting process is unmatched and his dedication does not go unnoticed. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to play and learn from him.”

48. Haley Woods, Cal Nuggets-Woods:

Haley Woods has been a Bay Area softball legend, playing and coaching in the Bay Area for more than 20 years. She was one of Cal’s all-time great college softball hitters. Her Cal Nuggets’ team was #7 in PGF 18U Premier Nationals last summer. “I think Coach Haley is one of the top club coaches around. She lets us be who we are on and off the field and builds strong connections with each of her players,” Nebraska-bound OF Jaime Oakland said. “She expects us to play hard and compete, but she doesn’t try to make us be somebody we are not. Her commitment to our team and organization is so strong and different than any other coach, which is what stands out to me the most.”

47. Mike Rogers, USA Athletics Gold-Rogers:

So Cal is the mecca for softball and Mike Rogers’ USA Athletics program is right in the mix with Athletics Mercado, OC Batbusters, Firecrackers and Corona Angels. Rogers’ USA Athletics’ team was #9 in PGF 18U Premier Nationals last summer. USA Athletics reached the finals at 18U Premier (2018) and 18U Platinum (2016) PGF Nationals. “I think Coach Mike is a really good coach,” Georgia Tech-committed 2027 1B/3B Nia Melendez said. “He’s very family-oriented, is very competitive without becoming overbearing and truly cares about each player he coaches. I would say that his area of expertise is pushing the players without basically demeaning them, making each one of us truly believe we can be the greatest version of ourselves.”

46. Suzy Willemssen, Virginia Glory National-Willemssen:

The NFCA Hall of Fame inductee is a five-time high school state champion and has guided 100 prospects to D1 colleges. Willemssen’s teams are always top contenders at national tournaments. “Coach Suzy is one of the most caring, thoughtful, supportive, knowledgeable and kind coaches I’ve ever had the pleasure to play for,” Boston College 1B/OF Mia Galella said. “It says a lot about her and how she does things since I live in PA and traveled to VA for weekly practices. She is a coach that always checks in on her former players, which also says a lot. She cares. She is genuine! She has reached out to me during my time of dealing with my injury this year and has always been there for me, knowing how difficult it was for me at the beginning of this year, knowing I’d be out for the season. I honestly can’t put into words how I truly feel other than I love the coach and person Coach Suzy truly is!”

45. James Jimenez, Suncats Jimenez: James

Jimenez has built a reputation as one of the top coaches in NorCal through his years with the Suncats, Warrior Academy and again with the Suncats. He led teams to #9 at PGF 18U Premier Nationals and #3 at PGF 14U Premier Nationals last summer. “I’ve been part of the Suncats organization since 10U and have had the opportunity to be on Coach James Jimenez’s team throughout my time,” uncommitted 2028 3B/C/UT MJ Fikes said. “His main area of expertise is developing players, both mentally and physically, especially hitting and overall game IQ. Coach James is very direct and honest and he’s always supportive of his players. He has high expectations, which can be tough at times, but it pushes us to be better. He and the other coaches put a lot of effort into running high-level practices so we can continue to improve and compete at a high level. He’s also invested a lot into the program, including building a hitting and weight training facility that we have access to, which shows how much he truly cares about our development. I’m really thankful to be part of his program and for everything he’s done for me as a player.”

44. Corey Mathis, Arizona Storm National-Mathis:

Corey Mathis was a major reason in building Arizona Storm into a national powerhouse and his teams regularly contend for titles at national tournaments and create D1 prospects. “Corey is an incredibly kind-hearted person, who always puts his players before himself, no matter what,” Arizona-bound 3B/MIF/P Violet Mitchell said. “He never fails to put a smile on our faces, even if it means embarrassing himself just to make us laugh. He’s truly brought the fun back into the game for so many of us and has done more for me than he will ever realize. Corey has turned our team into a family. He constantly pushes us to be our best selves both on and off the field and he’s a coach I’ll remember for a long time because of the huge impact he’s had on my journey.” Michigan UT Lauren Putz is an alumni of Arizona Storm National-Mathis. “Corey Mathis is awesome!” Putz said. “He is a coach, who is calm and composed, but will say the right things when they’re needed to be said. He is very observant and his expertise is seeing things that some coaches can’t see whether it’s pitching, hitting or defense.”

43. Scotty Smith, Epic National-Smith:

Scotty Smith has built one o the top programs in Oklahoma and regularly contends for tournament titles on the national scene. Epic placed #9 in 18U Alliance and #9 in 16U Alliance at the AFCS last summer. “Scotty Smith was one of the greatest coaches to ever be a part of the game, not just because of his knowledge, but because of the way he led with encouragement and passion,” Missouri C Jaley James said. “He constantly pushed me to become the best version of myself, both on and off the field, always believing in my potential even when I doubted it. His dedication to growing the game for the better showed in everything he did, from the way he taught fundamentals to how he built strong, confident players and people. He was incredibly knowledgeable and always found ways to help us improve, no matter where we were in our journey. More than anything, he would do absolutely anything he could to support his players, showing a level of care that went far beyond the game. He trusted us to play freely, giving us the confidence to just play and enjoy the moment, knowing he believed in us completely. I know that even though I’m in college, now, that if I needed to talk about something, he would be one of the first people I call.”

42. Bobby Labs, Breakers Labs-Bobby:

Bobby Labs has built one of the top programs in So Cal, building D1 prospects and teams that regularly are contenders in the top national tournaments. The Breakers have had teams win a national championships (PGF 16U Platinum in 2022) and reach the PGF Nationals championship game (PGF 14U Premier) in 2024 and (PGF 16U Platinum) in 2018. “Coach Bobby is an amazing coach,” Northwestern-committed 2027 C/3B/1B/OF Kaimana Coleman said. “He is a smart coach, who knows how to analyze all of the smaller parts of the games not many notice, and use that to help make his decisions about pitch calling, defensive signs and hitting signs. This is definitely due to his want to learn more about the game and techniques that all of the pros and college teams use. He researches hitting technique, fielding technique and catching technique in order to find the best information that will make his girls the best players on any field they step on. I think the biggest thing, though, is how he treats EVERY single girl at Breakers like they are part of his family. No matter what girl, parent or coach walks into our facility, he will always be the first to give them a hug and talk to them. Along with this, he pushes all his players to reach their full potential by staying late to help any girls struggling and by stopping by practices and games for every single Breakers’ team. In all, Coach Bobby is not only very knowledgeable, but a family-oriented guy. who cares immensely for every single player.”

41. Kevin O’Donnell, Intensity-KOD:

Kevin O’Donnell has turned Intensity into the top program in the Northeast, regularly turning out Division 1 prospects, including his daughter, Brittany, who was a standout at Notre Dame before becoming one of the top coaches for Intensity. “Kevin O’Donnell is the heart and driving force behind Intensity Softball, building a program rooted in both excellence and family,” Intensity coach Brittany O’Donnell said. “As the head of the organization, he is passionate about encouraging young athletes to dream big while giving them the tools, confidence and support needed to achieve those dreams. He has created a true championship-mindset culture, where hard work, resilience and belief in oneself are expected — but just as importantly, every player feels like part of one big family. Over the years, he has coached and mentored hundreds of athletes, helping them reach the next level and pursue college softball opportunities. Kevin has a unique ability to see the potential in every player and bring out their best through his gift for motivating, educating and inspiring. With a strong skillset in hitting and pitch calling, he develops not only talented athletes, but confident competitors. His impact is deeply personal — without him, many players, including his own daughter, would not have achieved dreams like playing at University of Notre Dame. He continues to help his players every day, committed to giving each one a life-changing experience through softball that empowers them to succeed both on and off the field.”

— Carlos Arias, Line Drive Media (Follow Carlos on Instagram @los_stuff)