Whitney Hawkins rejoined the University of North Alabama softball staff as pitching coach on January 9, 2023, and enters her fourth season since returning, marking her seventh overall with the program. Hawkins was previously part of the Lions’ coaching staff from 2014–17, including the historic 2016 campaign that culminated in the NCAA Division II National Championship and a 60-7 record. During that championship season, Hawkins and head coach Ashley Cozart were named the NFCA Regional and National Coaching Staff of the Year. Across her initial three-year stint, UNA compiled a 130-41 record, and Hawkins mentored multiple all-conference and all-region pitchers, including national tournament MVP Hillary Carpenter.
Since her return, Hawkins has continued to elevate the Lions’ pitching staff. In 2024, Alivia Wilken threw the first perfect game in program history and finished the season with a 1.48 ERA over 189.1 innings, earning first-team All-ASUN honors and multiple conference weekly awards. Prior to rejoining UNA, Hawkins served as assistant coach and pitching coach at the University of Montevallo and held coaching roles at Lindsey Wilson College and East Mississippi Community College. A former standout pitcher at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Hawkins was a two-time first-team All-Gulf South Conference selection and helped lead UAH to the 2009 Division II national championship game. She graduated from UAH in 2014 with a degree in English and a minor in mathematics.
