Yes, this Marc IS tied to the coaches we all know of Tennessee Vols softball fame, Ralph and Karen Weekly… they share his name because Ralph is his father and Marc has followed in the family business, so to speak.

Marc Weekly has put his mark on the sport as well, albeit in some different ways and in different forums.

Mind you, he has shown that he can excel in the college space, too: Marc was a 12-year assistant coach on the Lady Vols softball team and, during his tenure in the SEC, he was part of a staff that went 479-146-1 and was named the Southeast Region Coaching Staff of the year twice—in 2005 and 2007.

He was even part of seven Vols teams that went to the Women’s College World Series.

But Marc has also established a strong niche at the youth level as a three-time Tennessee high school state championship-winning coach at The King’s Academy, a Div. 2 private school in Seymour, Tenn.

His impressive resume includes being selected three times as the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Coach of the Year as well as serving as the 2019 Junior Olympic Cup Championship Coach.

Weekly’s coaching career, without doubt, has been a success but the longtime softball figure has found another big passion in the fastpitch world: training… specifically hitting training.

After stepping down at UT five years ago — at the same time his father retired – Marc coached his daughter, Regan Weekly, on the travel ball circuit and opened up the Marc Weekly Hitting Academy, which today has locations in Knoxville and Lebanon, Tenn.

The results, as you’d guess from previous successes, have been impressive.

Over the years, the coach has helped over 300 young players make it to the college level and, today, that legacy of training and recruiting success continues with the daily hitting instruction.

At the Academy, Marc and his staff provide competitive group sessions led by multiple high-level coaches with extensive experience in the world of fastpitch.  

With more than 145 athletes currently training from 10 different states (California, Washington, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama and Arizona), the Academy’s reputation for high-quality players going to the next level continues to grow.

What, exactly, is the draw of talented hitters from across the nation?

“The group sessions allow athletes to engage in real-time learning, sharpen their mental game, and fine-tune their mechanics,” Weekly explains. “The results speak for themselves: improved skills, greater confidence, and the ability to perform under pressure.”

The participants and their families come away as satisfied customers and praise the development they receive.

“The Marc Weekly Hitting Academy is not only an elite hitting facility, but also an elite contact in the collegiate world of softball,” says Stacey Brown, the mother of Univ. of Memphis freshman Faith Brown.

“Coach Marc is not only a coach, but also a mentor, advisor, and advocate. We are so thankful Faith has him and his staff in her corner for years to come.”

What does being a member of the Hitting Academy entail?

Unlike many training programs that charge hefty fees for basic video analysis or third-party recruiting services, The Hitting Academy includes everything in one transparent monthly fee covering four lessons.

As part of the membership, athletes benefit from having video breakdowns, recruiting advice and personal communication for Academy members on behalf of the athletes.

I talk about being quiet with the hands all the time,hitting is all about consistency. training your mind to stay quiet which transfers to your hands and your lower half. great examples by some serious stars. pic.twitter.com/1uKoN9Arfk

— Marc Weekly (@MarcWeekly) April 17, 2025

Marc’s philosophy on the recruiting process is refreshingly simple and honest.

“I cannot promise you a scholarship,” he explains, “but I can promise you that you will be developed. If you show the necessary ability, we will help you find the right schools to attend camp and begin to form a relationship with those staffs.”

In the last half decade, the Hitting Academy has helped 70 players secure college opportunities and scholarships, and a key to that is the personal interaction coach and student maintain.

“We could have 300-plus kids, but then we would lose that personal relationship and understanding of their specific journey,” Marc says.

“The small, intimate nature of the Academy is key to the success of our athletes, allowing us to focus on each player’s unique development and recruitment needs.”

Coach Weekly believes the key to success is the Hitting Academy’s philosophy that, more than the results, it’s about process.

“Every player has a unique development path,” the former college assistant coach continues, “and our goal is to help each athlete uncover that path — through incremental progress and consistent effort.”

“We stress that the best results — the home runs, the RBIs, the clutch hits — come as a by-product of mental and mechanical consistency. Rather than chasing outcomes, we teach players how to approach every at-bat with patience, confidence, and a focus on growth.”

Becky Jobe, parent of University of Tennessee commit Kyla Jobe, says she has seen the process work since her daughter began working with the Coach and the Hitting Academy as a freshman in high school.

“Coach Weekly offered Kyla support from Day 1,” the proud mom begins, “even though that’s above and beyond. Because of Marc’s knowledge, experience, and the long and growing list of players he has helped reach high levels of success, he is well-respected, trusted, and heavily networked across the softball world.”

But it wasn’t just a one-way process of education, the mother believes.

“Marc served as a trusted mentor and he asked questions, listened, and encouraged our daughter to be patient, to be herself, and to stay the course in finding her perfect fit,”

Improvement can be measured by on-field stats, sure, but the Marc Weekly Hitting Academy isn’t just for those who want to improve their swing — it’s also a place for athletes to evolve and reach their true potential, no matter where they start.

Take Elyse Witcoski, for example, a talented athlete from Southwestern Pennsylvania who was predominantly a slapper early in her career.

Says the athlete’s mother:

“There are moments in Elyse’s softball journey that we know we’ll look back on as pivotal. Finding Marc’s Hitting Academy is one of those moments. We knew we had to travel to find the best, but finding a hitting coach in Knoxville, Tennessee sounded a little crazy, even to us!”

“After talking with Marc just once, we knew he was the right fit for her. His expertise, coaching abilities, and experience working with top-notch athletes is second to none.”

Though Elyse lives several hours away, she’s been able to make the trip to Knoxville two-to-three times per year, and Marc has made it easy for her to keep progressing in between visits. From virtual coaching, to sending drills and reviewing game videos, the one-time SEC coach has ensured that Elyse never stops learning.”

The results, as the happy mom of the athlete addresses, speak for themselves.

“Ely’s hitting has exploded since working with him!” she adds. “She went from being an almost 100 percent slapper, to hitting three home runs in her last four high school games as a freshman.”

What’s the “magic secret” to such growth?

“It’s not just about the stats,” Marc explains, “it’s about understanding the swing and developing a purposeful approach to hitting. Elyse now knows what she’s doing right, what needs improvement, and exactly what she’s working towards.”

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball