University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Softball Coach Natalie Poole Signs Three-Year Contract Extension
9/5/2025 1:00:00 PM | Softball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss announced Thursday afternoon that softball coach Natalie Poole signed a three–year contract extension.
"I am forever grateful for the opportunity to continue to lead the Golden Eagle Softball program," said Poole. "There is nowhere else I would rather be coaching."
Poole has led the Golden Eagles for three seasons and has made it to the conference tournament three years in a row - the first time in program history - while also beating a nationally ranked opponent for the first time since 2022 by besting No. 24 Texas State at home.
"Since being hired, we have been on a mission to get this program highly competitive in the Sun Belt, build a quality and sustainable culture, and be great students and leaders," said Poole. "We have accomplished so much of this but still have work to do. We want to make this program a success in ALL ways. I am excited to continue the journey here, as I feel passionate about this university and this program."
The extension solidifies the impact Poole has made on not only the program but also the players. With Poole at the helm, the Sun Belt hasn't been a stranger to Southern Miss player achievements with most recently having Hanna Christian selected for the All-Sun Belt First team in 2025 and having two All-Sun Belt players in Jana Lee and Hannah Borden who got picked to the second team and the first team respectively in 2024.
During her tenure at Memphis, mentored 11 all-conference selections, with three first-team picks and one of whom being Kyler Trosclair Katt in 2015 who was the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year in 2015, as well as producing 82 NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes. She has laid the groundwork through building a culture proven by Madeline Moody being named to the All-Sun Belt Community Service team overseeing over 1,200 hours of community service and the reception of the 2025 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Talon Awards Community Impact Award.
The culture that Coach Poole cultivates embodies the values of Southern Miss. With her seven-year stint at Georgia Southern, she brought the eagles on a trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2006, the first time in program history, to cap off six straight victories to wrap the season up. The program also set more than 15 single-season records and only had one losing conference season with Poole behind the wheel.
"I would like to thank Dr. Paul, Jeremy McClain, Shawn Jones, and Spencer Bridges for their faith in what I am doing," said Poole." I enjoy working alongside our administrators as we continue to plan and execute ways to elevate our facility, program, and player development. I have also appreciated the community of Hattiesburg and the donors and alumni who have continued to invest in the future of the program and the athletes that are here."
