McNutt Announces Hiring Of Two New Assistant Coaches
7/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
July 21, 2006
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Head Softball Coach Gay McNutt announced the hiring of two assistant coaches today, former Golden Eagle graduate assistant Robyn Killebrew and former Golden Eagle player and graduate assistant Auriel Jenkins.
"I'm excited to announce Robyn and Auriel to the coaching staff," McNutt said. "They bring so much to our program. They are both very loyal and love Southern Miss softball. I look at them coaching with me, not for me. They're both young and are so excited, which has me rejuvenated. I can't wait to get started again."
"We're happy to bring Robyn back to Southern Miss and keep Auriel here," Senior Woman Administrator Sonya Varnell said. "Coach McNutt has hired two bright young coaches that are familiar with her system. We're excited to have them on the full-time coaching staff."
Killebrew returns to Southern Miss as the team's leading hitting coach, after serving as an Assistant Coach for one year under Chris Malveaux at McNeese State. While at McNeese State, she was responsible for the outfield, along with other day-to-day duties. She also coached All-Southland Conference Outfielders Christina Allen and Rachael Phillips. Allen was also named Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year.
"Robyn is going to lead our offensive attack, but we're all going to have input," McNutt said. "She has a variety of good experience, working for Cindy Wille here at Southern Miss and Chris Malveaux at McNeese State, which always has a good hitting team."
"I'm glad to be back at Southern Miss," Killebrew said. "It's home to me. I'm excited to work under Coach McNutt again and I look forward to continuing my coaching career here."
Before arriving at McNeese State, Killebrew spent two years at Southern Miss, serving as the manager in 2004 and graduate assistant in 2005.
Killebrew earned her master's degree from Southern Miss in 2005 and is also a 2003 graduate of William Carey College. While at William Carey, she played for two years, finishing her career with a .301 batting average. She was voted team captain in 2001 and was named Most Outstanding Physical Education Student and Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
Following her playing career, Killebrew served as a student assistant for the William Carey softball team. Prior to her career at William Carey, Killebrew played two years at Meridian Community College, helping the team to an appearance in the JNJCAA Fastpitch National Championship in 2000. Killebrew, a team captain in 1999, was selected to the All-Region XXIII Fastpitch team and was a recipient of the Stacy Elkin Leadership Award.
Killebrew also served as a City of Hattiesburg Parks and Recreation part-time employee, and was the Director of the Aquatics Program for the City of Hattiesburg in the summers of 2003 and 2004. She was a lifeguard at the YMCA in 2002 and 2003, also serving as the C.E. Roy Community Center Pool in the summer of 2001 and 2002. She has also served as an instructor for several softball camps in the past.
Jenkins has spent the past two years at Southern Miss, serving as the administrative assistant in 2005 and graduate assistant last year, working with the outfielders and hitters. She will again work with the outfielders, along with other duties as assigned.
"Auriel is going to work with our outfielders," McNutt said. "She is very excited to be here to begin her full-time coaching career. The players have so much respect for her. She brings intensity and enthusiasm to the coaching staff. She's been around me for several years now and understands how I like to do things."
"I'm excited that Coach McNutt asked me to be a member of her full-time coaching staff," Jenkins said. "I love Southern Miss and I bleed black and gold. I can't wait to begin my coaching career and work with Coach McNutt."
Jenkins was a three-year letterwinner and played center field at Southern Miss from 2002-04, after transferring to Southern Miss from Meridian Community College.
Her best season came in 2004, as she hit .373, with 57 hits, 41 runs, eight doubles, nine home runs, 29 RBIs, 92 total bases and 11 stolen bases. Her .373 batting average was the fifth-best performance in school history.
She was Conference USA's MVP and a first-team All-Conference USA selection in 2004, also earning third-team Easton All-American honors. Jenkins was also a second-team NFCA All-South Region selection, first-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District, third-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American and National Strength and Conditioning All-American in 2004. She also earned Conference USA Hitter of the Week honors on March 29, 2004.
The Pearl, Miss., native finished her career with a .314 batting average, 74 runs, 108 hits, 15 doubles, 14 home runs, 52 RBIs, 169 total bases and 33 stolen bases. Jenkins ranks seventh all-time in career batting average, eighth in on-base percentage, fifth in slugging percentage, 12th in runs, 10th in career doubles, eighth in home runs and 10th in stolen bases.
Jenkins completed her master's degree in sport administration in 2006 at Southern Miss. She is currently playing professional softball with the Michigan Ice, an expansion franchise in the Women's National Pro Fastpitch League.
Southern Miss finished 29-38 in 2006. The Lady Eagles will host their fall tournament on Oct. 28-29, before opening the 2007 season on Feb. 9 in the Gettermen Classic, hosted by Baylor, in Waco, Texas.