Two SEC coaching staffs honored by NFCA

Two programs from the Southeastern Conference were honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) as 2019 Division I Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year.

Alabama and Florida are among the 11 programs, along with national champion UCLA, that are eligible for the NFCA's Division I National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on June 26.

South - Alabama

Overall: 60-10 SEC: 18-6

Head Coach: Patrick Murphy

Associate Head Coach: Alyson Habetz

Assistant Coach: Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro

Volunteer Assistant: Brynne Dordel

Director of Operations: Kate Harris

WCWS semifinalists... Posted 3-2 record and forced if-necessary semifinal game with Oklahoma at WCWS... 8-4 mark during postseason as No. 8 overall seed... SEC regular-season champions and tournament runner-up... Collected fourth 60-win season, first since 2012... Only NCAA Division I program to reach 60-win plateau... Finished fourth in final USA Today/NFCA Top-25 Coaches Poll.

Southeast - Florida

Overall: 49-18 SEC: 12-12

Head Coach: Tim Smith

Assistant Coaches: Aric Thomas, Mike Bosch

Volunteer Assistant: Jolene Henderson

Swept its regional and defeated Tennessee two-out-of-three to clinch its third straight WCWS appearance... Did not surrender a run during three-game regional sweep... 5-3 postseason record... SEC Tournament champions... No. 5 overall national seed... Finished seventh in final USA Today/NFCA Top-25 Coaches Poll.