FORT MYERS, Fla. - FGCU Softball and head coach David Deiros hires Michele DePolo as an assistant coach Monday.
DePolo arrives to the City of Palms after a three-year stint as the head coach of Tennessee Tech (2020-2022), a member of the Ohio-Valley Conference. DePolo joins fellow assistant Jenna Modic-Blythers, who was also hired as an assistant coach back in July to specialize in the Eagle offense.
"We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Michelle's caliber and experience to guide our pitchers this year," Deiros said. "However, she brings so much more to the table because she pitched and played the field as a player, served as an assistant coach in multiple disciplines and has been a head coach for many years. We are looking forward to a fantastic season as she completes our talented and versatile staff."
DePolo compiled a 61-61 record and 26-34 mark in conference action at Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles finished the 2022 campaign 32-22, recording the most wins and also capturing its first OVC tournament win since 2015.
Before Tennessee Tech, DePolo served as the head coach of Army softball for nine seasons (2010-2018). She was named the first female head coach of the program in 2009.
In her very first season at the helm of the Black Knights (2010), she earned Patriot League Coach of the Year distinction while leading Army to a regular-season title (first since 1992) and tied the school record for conference (15) and overall single-season wins (33).
The Black Knights also garnered statistical national spotlight in 2010 with the 25th most doubles in the country. Army also ranked first in th OVC in pitching and fielding in 2010, second in 2011 and in 2012.
In 2016, DePolo's Patriot League runner-up squad posted the winningest season in program history (39), breaking her own Army record of 37 from 2012. DePolo, who also served as the pitching coach for the Black Knights, mentored nation's leader in saves.
In 2018, she led Army to its fourth consecutive Patriot League Tournament appearance as the Black Knights finished the campaign with double-digit league victories for the third straight year.
DePolo became the second winningest coach in program history with 280 wins in her six winning seasons. Her academy student-athletes combined to earn 18 Patriot League honors and 11 first-team accolades.
Before Army, she made assistant coaching stops at Georgian Court University (2004-05), Smith College (2005-06) and Amherst College (2006-07).
DePolo graduated magna cum laude from Georgian Court in 2003. On the diamond, DePolo became a two-year team captain on both sides of the ball guiding her team to four Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference titles, three Region X championships, three national tournament appearances and an ECAC crown.
As an All-CACC Tournament pick in 2001, DePolo recorded a 0.50 ERA in the circle. She was inducted in the Georgian Court Hall of Fame in 2012.
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the-minute information on the FGCU softball program, follow on Twitter @FGCU_Softball and Instagram at fgcusoftball and stay tuned at FGCUAthletics.com.
COACH DEIROS
The founding father of FGCU softball, David Deiros completed his 20th season as head coach during the 2022 campaign. Hired in 2001 to build the program from the dirt up, Deiros has since guided the Eagles to a 706-397-3 (.640), going 176-109 (.618) in the ASUN, having 16 seasons with a winning record, and nine campaigns with 35+ wins. Deiros is a former head coach at the 1998 Florida State Runner-up Lely High School in Naples and is the founding head coach of the 1999 District Champion/2001 Regional Runner-up Gulf Coast High School in Naples.
E.A.G.L.E. CAMPAIGN
IT TAKES A TEAM to achieve our newest goal - a $10 million campaign to address student-athlete needs in continued academic success, life skills, mental health, nutrition, and strength and conditioning as well as departmental needs in facility expansion and improvement as well as mentoring and leadership training for coaches and staff. The name embodies our mission and the purpose of the E.A.G.L.E. Campaign - Eagle Athletics Generating Lifetime Excellence. Join Our Team and pledge your gift today to help the Eagles of tomorrow!
#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events in November and April to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 92 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 14+ seasons at the Division I level. Additionally, in just 10 seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 44 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Eight FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport - including women's basketball (No. 20, 2021-22), beach volleyball (No. 20, 2022) and both men's soccer (2018, 2019) and women's soccer (2018) as three of the most recent. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.50 GPA in the classroom in the fall 2020 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for 25 consecutive semesters. The past five semesters (Fall 2019 – Fall 2021) each saw another milestone reached as all 15 programs achieved a 3.0-or-higher team GPA in each. The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 - being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.
