June 22, 2006

MOBILE, Ala. - Coby Mackin, former softball coach and athletics director at Spring Hill College (Ala.), has been named softball coach for the University of Mobile (Ala.).

She takes over a program that won the 2006 NAIA championship under Vincent Dima, who has become an assistant coach at the University of South Alabama.

Mackin started the softball program at SHC in 1998 and led it for eight seasons, compiling a career record of 289-138-4. She resigned in 2005 to relocate to the Destin, Fla., area, where her husband had accepted a job. Mackin coached 10 All-Americans and led the Badgers to a national third-place finish while at SHC, where she also served as director of athletics and recreation from 2002-04.

While a student at the University of Mobile, Mackin led the Rams to four national tournament appearances, earned NAIA first-team All-American honors in 1996 and was a three-time NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete. After college, she played one season with the Durham Dragons in the Women's Professional Softball League.

"I am very excited about returning to the University of Mobile and continuing the winning tradition of our softball program," Mackin said. "Like many others, my experience as a student-athlete at Mobile has played a key role in my development both personally and professionally. I'm excited to work for a university that supports student-athletes in their pursuit of excellence on and off the field. I have no doubt that with that support, we will continue the success the program has enjoyed for many years."