MSU promotes Ricketts to head coach
Mississippi State did not have to look far to find its next head softball coach.
Samantha Ricketts, who has served as an assistant coach in charge of hitting and recruiting from 20152018 and was associated head coach in 2018 of the Bulldogs, was promoted to head coach on Monday by athletic director John Cohen.
Former head coach Vann Stuedeman parted ways with MSU last week.
Cohen said in a statement released by the school that Ricketts was “clear” choice and “the right fit” to follow Stuedeman.
“Samantha's vision, national recruiting experience and her ability to teach the game were the biggest factors in our decision,” Cohen said. “She has been one of the most sought-after rising stars in the nation. Coach Ricketts has the utmost respect from our student-athletes and her peers around the country. With her SEC experience and her time at Oklahoma, she knows what it takes to develop our studentathletes into strong people both on and off the field.”
Ricketts has been known to be one of the most productive offensive minds in college softball and she has a track record with the Bulldogs to prove it.
In her first season as hitting coach of the Bulldogs in 2015, MSU set new single-season records for home runs (54), batting average (.312), slugging percentage (.495), RBI (294) and onbase percentage (.416).
Ricketts has shown the ability to identify power hitters in recruiting Ricketts and helping them succeed after becoming Bulldogs. Last year was a good example of that with Mia Davidson and Fa Leilua.
Davidson and Leilua were both NFCA All-americans last season. Davidson had a batting average of .373, 52 runs scored, 63 hits, eight doubles and 26 home runs, while Leilua added 22 home runs, which was an MSU record for a junior.
Other Bulldogs have thrived under the teaching of Ricketts. For example, Caroline Seitz ended her career tied for second in home runs with 37, third in doubles with with 53, and fourth in RBIS with 166.
The other coaching stops for Ricketts was as an assistant at Wichita State from 2012-14 and as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma from 2009-11.
“I am honored and thrilled for the opportunity to lead Mississippi State softball,” Ricketts said in a statement. “I am thankful to (Director of Athletics) John Cohen and (President) Dr. Mark Keenum for believing in me. I take so much pride in this program, and we will work extremely hard and efficiently in elevating Mississippi State softball to our ultimate goals. I am eager to continue to mentor our team, not just as Bulldog student-athletes but as first-class leaders in this community.”
Ricketts was a four-time All-big 12 first team selection during her playing career at Oklahoma. She was also a two-time All-american and two-time Academic All-big 12 first team pick.
After her time as a Sooner was done, Ricketts held the school record in career home runs with 48 and runs batted in with 239.
Laizure, The Norman Transcript, AP file photo)