Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Mead named Assistant Coach of Blue Raider Softball
8/22/2023 1:29:00 PM | Softball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee Softball head coach Jeff Breeden announced Gretchen Mead as the program's newest assistant coach on Tuesday. Mead begins her coaching career after five seasons on the Blue Raider softball team from 2019 to 2023.
"We are extremely excited to transition Gretchen from a player to our coaching staff," said Breeden. "She is one of our greatest Blue Raider success stories. She stayed the course through her career and reaped the benefits in her final two seasons of play. She will add a great work ethic and super amounts of energy to our program. Gretchen is a winner inside and out! She will be a star in the coaching world over the next few years! She loves this program and will do anything needed to make sure it continues to reach new heights!"
Mead helped lead the Blue Raiders to the best season in program history, a Conference USA Championship, a national top 25 ranking, and a spot in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional finals. Mead was named NFCA All-Region second team and All-Conference USA Second Team a year ago.
In 2023, Mead pitched 174 innings with 120 strikeouts, the fourth most in CUSA, and a 2.00 ERA to lead the team in each category in the circle. The Kingwood, Texas native finished with the 26th most wins in Division 1 at 20 and three of those over top-25 ranked opponents. Mead also earned the True Blue President's Award at the 2023 Raider's Choice Awards for outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments, university/community service and leadership.
"I'm honored and excited to be stepping into this position," said Mead. "I always told myself that I was going to give back to the game I loved so much. Not only do I get to do that, but I also get to give back to the university that gave me the opportunity to play the game and the people that watched me grow as a person and an athlete. I'm thankful for every opportunity but most importantly to be learning from Coach Breeden himself! I can't wait to hit the ground running this fall after the record-breaking season last year."
FOLLOW THE BLUE RAIDERS
"We are extremely excited to transition Gretchen from a player to our coaching staff," said Breeden. "She is one of our greatest Blue Raider success stories. She stayed the course through her career and reaped the benefits in her final two seasons of play. She will add a great work ethic and super amounts of energy to our program. Gretchen is a winner inside and out! She will be a star in the coaching world over the next few years! She loves this program and will do anything needed to make sure it continues to reach new heights!"
Mead helped lead the Blue Raiders to the best season in program history, a Conference USA Championship, a national top 25 ranking, and a spot in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional finals. Mead was named NFCA All-Region second team and All-Conference USA Second Team a year ago.
In 2023, Mead pitched 174 innings with 120 strikeouts, the fourth most in CUSA, and a 2.00 ERA to lead the team in each category in the circle. The Kingwood, Texas native finished with the 26th most wins in Division 1 at 20 and three of those over top-25 ranked opponents. Mead also earned the True Blue President's Award at the 2023 Raider's Choice Awards for outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments, university/community service and leadership.
"I'm honored and excited to be stepping into this position," said Mead. "I always told myself that I was going to give back to the game I loved so much. Not only do I get to do that, but I also get to give back to the university that gave me the opportunity to play the game and the people that watched me grow as a person and an athlete. I'm thankful for every opportunity but most importantly to be learning from Coach Breeden himself! I can't wait to hit the ground running this fall after the record-breaking season last year."
FOLLOW THE BLUE RAIDERS
Follow Middle Tennessee Softball on social media on Facebook (Blue Raider Softball), Twitter (@MT_Softball) and Instagram (@mt_softball).
Players Mentioned
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