Head coach DeAnn Fox has been in the dugout as a head coach for nearly a quarter of a century but only in the Tennessee Mojo organization for two years. However, her 2027 team had an impressive fall season going 30-8 and finished in the Top 4 of every event it played in.

The post-summer campaign actually got off to a disappointing start for the team—at least by its standards—with a tough loss to just miss out on making it to the title game, but that seemed to motivate the talented Mojo – Fox team to a tremendous run for the rest of the year.

Keep an eye out for this 2027 and 2028-player Mojo team which looks to be one of the best in its age division this summer.

Line Drive Softball’s Brentt Eads connected with Coach Fox to get a behind-the-scenes look at the team overall and detailed scouting reports on each player…

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When did the team start and how/why did it come to be?

The TN Mojo 2027 -Fox team started two seasons ago after transferring from another smaller “A” level Indiana organization.  We were wanting to get to that nationally known level and exposure, so we made the jump to the Tennessee Mojo organization directed by Brooks Cherry. 

Where are you based?  Where do your athletes come from?

We are based out of Pendleton, Ind. representing the Midwest; however, we have on our roster players from six different states (Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, and Alabama.

What was the purpose of creating the team?

The team’s purpose and drive are to give our players the best opportunity to showcase their talent to colleges at all different levels.  With this being our mission, we hope that our schedule, team’s success, and connections made will open many doors when it is time to make that decision to commit to a college and to pursue their dream of playing college softball. 

We are committed to helping our players reach their greatest potential as a player and develop them into great leaders with strong character.  Our team was created for the dedicated, disciplined player who is seeking to continue her softball career at the collegiate level.

What do you think are strengths of this Mojo – 2027 team?

A lot of coaches might start rambling stats off to you when asked about strengths, but I see one of our huge strengths as a team is that of our “WE>ME” attitude.  This is written on the back of one of our jerseys and I absolutely love it when the girls wear this jersey!  All 13 girls want to get better for the team.  All 13 girls are supportive, caring, and truly love to see their teammates have success. 

When you can get all your players to realize the importance of and have this mindset, “WE>ME,” it is truly something very special.  Players can look for years to find that team, organization, and coaching staff that is a good fit for them.  We have some great supportive players and families that are now involved in TN Mojo 2027 – Fox and a huge, strong family culture that has formed. 

What is your primary focus or goal with this group of players?

We have a focus on preparing these athletes, both physically and mentally, to take their game to the next level and to reach their goals on and off the softball field that they have set for themselves. 

This team is putting these young ladies on the path to college softball.  Having a winning record, performing highly at major events, winning championships are all cherries on top, but at the end of the day we will focus on the growth of the person first and then the player who wants to pursue that dream of college softball. 

Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history?

The most recent key moment with the current team I would say was our first big PGF event of the fall season and we lost a close game to get to the championship game.  We fell short and that loss to get to the final game was a heartbreaker, but probably did more for the team than any win or loss for that matter. 

After licking our wounds with our third place finish, the girls really rallied behind each other and got back up and carried on.  They put their nose down the rest of fall and really had a great fall season. 

We give these girls a schedule that puts them up against the best of the best and we chase the competition.  We learn a ton from a loss, and we grow stronger in unity and appreciation for each other when the going gets tough.  So that early loss this fall season was our fuel for the fire and was a moment we grew a ton! 

What have been some of your success in terms of winning or placing at events this past year?

Here’s the list of how we did in the 2023 fall season in which we placed in the Top 4 in all the events we competed in:

• PGF Super Select Fall Championship (5-2, finished 3^rd out of 36)
• PGF Queen of the Hill (5-1, finished 4^th out of 32)
• Top 100 Showcase (4-1, outscored our opponents 43-14)
• Easton Rawlings Elite Fall Showcase (5-1, finished 3^rd out of 34)
• LP4U Fall 16U Showcase (4-1, finished runners-up in 1^st place bracket play)
• Scenic City 14 Fall Showcase (5-1, finished 1^st in our pool)

What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?

I have been doing some form of coaching for the past 24 years.  I have coached rec ball, varsity high school softball, to travel ball and this being my 8^th season in the travel ball world. 

I started off with coaching a local 8U team and have built teams through the years that have been reputable in their success and development which now has led me to this point to leading a well-known and nationally competitive TN Mojo 2027 team.  Each team has been a steppingstone of learning and advancement and has gotten me to where I am at today in my travel ball coaching career. 

What makes the organization unique in your opinion?

Tennessee Mojo was founded by Brooks Cherry in 2008.  Through the years Tennessee Mojo has gained a ton of ground being nationally respected by the softball community and college coaches.  

What Mojo has been able to accomplish in a short amount of time with 20 national championships, been a part of over 500 young ladies playing collegiate, and over 30 million dollars in scholarships speaks volumes. 

A piece of what makes Mojo organization unique—and what drew me to joining this org—is not only its reputation, but how it operates.  The Mojo leaders do not micromanage the teams, but instead allows the coaches to direct their teams with the oversight and direction provided, but each team gets to form their own identity and direction.

Mojo teams are not made to try to fit in a box.  They have become a dominating fastpitch organization with Mojo teams now spreading from coast to coast. The Mojo culture that we embrace throughout the org of WE>ME and with players, coaches, and parents buying in on that belief has helped hundreds of student athletes reach their dreams of playing the next level. 

How many teams are in the organization overall?

Mojo has grown to over 70 teams spanning from California to the Carolinas, reaching coast to coast. 

If there is one thing that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?

The Tennessee Mojo organization is unique as is our way of thinking about the teams and players being labeled “National.” We are national with teams across the country, yes, but one thing that separates Mojo—and I respect very much—is that Mojo does not allow teams to be called a “National” team. 

As stated by Brooks Cherry:

“I do not believe in it.  I believe your resume and coach’s name gets you your recognition.  You do not need a Mojo National name to know they are good.”

In the 2024 class, over 100 Mojo players committed to play at college and none of which played on a ‘National”-named Mojo team.  The phrase “Stay humble and work hard” screams out to me when thinking of the Tennessee Mojo organization.  Mojo and its coaches are here to support and guide these young student-athletes to achieve their goals and dreams, but in the end the journey is in their hands. 

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Below are in-depth evaluations on this talented team’s players (listed alphabetically by last name).

 You can also follow the squad this on year on Twitter @MOJO2K9FOX and on Facebook at MOJO 2027/2028 FOX.