Nine member coaches were honored as the NFCA revealed its collegiate recipients of the 2025 Easton/NFCA Assistant Coach of the Year award, the Association announced on Wednesday. 

Garnering honors this year are Sam Marder (University of Oregon / DI), Katie Neubauer (University of Tampa / DII),  Brianna Cooper (Virginia Wesleyan University / DIII), Cheyenne Bricker (Southern Oregon University / NAIA), Ray Aguirre (Hutchinson Community College / NJCAA DI), Mateighia Tanner (Neosho County Community College / NJCAA DII), Josh Gooch (Patrick & Henry Community College / NJCAA DIII), Karlee Coughlin (Yuba College / Cal JC) and Emmylou Clark (Grays Harbor College / NWAC).

These awards recognize the efforts of coaches from the various NFCA membership categories for their tireless dedication to the sport of softball and to the continued education, growth and development of young women, both on and off the playing field.

The winners will be recognized on Dec. 13 during the NFCA Convention’s Awards Brunch in Las Vegas.

The winners were nominated by NFCA member coaches and selected by a panel of their peers on the NFCA Awards Committee.

Here are bios on each of the honorees:

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NCAA Division I: Sam Marder, Oregon

Marder, who serves as the Ducks’ hitting and third base coach, is responsible for offensive player development. Her work with the hitters has translated into Oregon having one of the best seasons in program history, ranking 15th or better nationally in numerous offensive categories, including hits (3rd), scoring (4th), RBI (5th), batting average (8th), on-base percentage (10th), home runs (11th), triples (11th) and slugging (14th). Of those, runs, scoring and RBI, along with total bases, sacrifice flies and stolen bases set new single-season records. The offensive output contributed to the Ducks’ first Women’s College World Series since 2018, 54 wins and a Big Ten regular-season crown.

NCAA Division II: Katie Neubauer, Tampa

Neubauer, who joined the program in May 2021, played a pivotal role in the Spartans’ national runner-up finish in their first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II National Championship finals. Tampa posted a 48-12 mark, registered a historic 28-game win streak and won their first South Region title. She handles the practice plans, game-day prep and scouting, along with overseeing the offense and defensive planning. Since her arrival, numerous Spartans have earned postseason honors, including multiple NFCA All-Region and All-America recipients, under her guidance as well as the Spartans winning four consecutive Sunshine State Conference titles.

NCAA Division III: Brianna Cooper, Virginia Wesleyan

Cooper made an immediate impact in her first season with the Marlins as the program’s pitching coach and lead recruiter, along with developing and aligning scouts. Her contributions, especially her work with the pitching staff, played a key role in VWU winning the ODAC regular season and tournament titles, finishing as the NCAA Division III national runner-up and mentoring several All-Conference, NFCA All-Region and NFCA All-America honorees. In addition to her coaching duties, Cooper was promoted to lead mentor of all at-risk student-athletes at VWU, meeting with academically at-risk students and serving the University in retention meetings and plannings.

NAIA: Cheyenne Bricker, Southern Oregon

Bricker, now a two-time recipient of the award, played a pivotal role in Southern Oregon winning the 2025 NAIA Softball World Series (after dropping the first game and winning seven elimination games), the program’s fourth in six years. Described as someone who leads by example and is intentional, Bricker has taken on more and more responsibility during her eight years on the staff. Having her hands in all aspects of the program, she was integral in the pitching staff’s success in 2025, programming bullpens, spending hours with the pitchers and calling her own games. All the hard work paid off as freshman Ayla Davies was named the NFCA Freshman and Pitcher of the Year, NAIA Pitcher of the Year, along with NFCA and NAIA All-America plaudits.

NJCAA DI: Ray Aguirre (Hutchinson CC)

Aguirre, who has been on the Hutchinson CC staff for nine years, serves as the program’s recruiting coordinator and pitching coach, along with overseeing field maintenance. Earning full-time status in 2021, the impact has been tremendous as the Dragons have won nearly 200 games (198), made one NJCAA DI World Series appearance, captured two conference titles and collected one Region 6 / Plains District championship. His recruiting has led to 34 all-conference selections and eight earning All-America status. Head coach Jamie Rose states that Aguirre is a tireless worker and recruiter and his compassion for the players is unmatched. This award is a way for Rose to appreciate his value to the entire program.

NJCAA DII: Mateighia Tanner, Neosho County CC

Tanner stepped into the head coaching role in January after head coach Kim Alexander’s unexpected cancer diagnosis and made the most of the season. She and the team enjoyed success in 2025 as the Panthers posted a 34-15 record, second-place finish (19-3) in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) and third in the NJCAA Region 6 Division II tournament.

NJCAA DIII: Josh Gooch, Patrick & Henry CC

Gooch has been integral in P&HCC’s national success, especially the last two seasons with a 2024 NJCAA DIII national title and runner-up finish in 2025. A retired 20-year United States Navy veteran, Gooch is charged with defense and base running at practices, catching/blocking drills for catchers and recruiting all over the East Coast in addition to serving as the first base coach. The Patriots swiped 190 bases in 2025 and was one of the top defenses in NJCAA DIII.

Cal JC: Karlee Coughlin, Yuba College

Coughlin was instrumental in turning a 6-27 team (2023) into back-to-back conference champions and a third-place finish at the 2025 3CFCA State Tournament. Her impact, which includes working with the pitchers, has seen the conference’s lowest ERA the past two seasons and produced an NFCA All-American. Along with recruiting and coaching the All-American, Coughlin also mentored three all-state players.

NWAC: Emmylou Clark, Grays Harbor

Grays Harbor had one of its best seasons in program history and Clark was pivotal in the success. She oversaw pitching, outfield and strength and conditioning as the Chokers set a single-season record for wins and achieved their highest seed at the NWAC Championships. Driving almost two hours each way, Clark is at every practice and game and helps make the day-to-day decision and lineup choices. According to former head coach Jake White, she had the trust and admiration of the players and the season wouldn’t have happened without her.

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The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded Easton/NFCA Assistant Coach of the Year awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to a comprehensive drills database, to in-person events and a National Convention.