After 27 years at the University of North Georgia and 24 seasons as the head softball coach, Mike Davenport has resigned to take a job as an assistant softball coach at the University of Georgia.
Davenport has a resume that includes 15 conference regular season titles, 14 conference tournament titles, eight NCAA Southeast Region Championships and two NCAA Division II National Championships. The Nighthawks won the national championship in 2015 and then succeeded in doing it again during the 2023 campaign.
The former coach took over the helm in August of 2000 and since then, UNG softball proceeded to become a nationally renowned program. He finished his stint in Dahlonega with 1,094 wins and a .796 winning percentage while also being named Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year nine times.
“Coach Davenport had a profound impact on UNG Softball, shaping the program’s identity and success. His influence reached far beyond the team, as he left a lasting legacy on D2 softball and college softball as a whole, setting a standard for excellence and determination.” – Jolie Lester, Senior Left Fielder
In the last nine years of his tenure, the Nighthawks set numerous records winning the PBC conference regular season and tournament titles in each season. Over that period, Davenport coached two NCAA Division II National Players of the Year in pitchers Courtney Poole (2015) and Kylee Smith (2018) along with numerous All-Americans.
The impact he left goes past achievements on the softball field. Bonds were built through relationships that will last a lifetime. Davenport started the annual “RBI Week” (Respect-Balance-Intensity) to kick off each season allowing the UNG softball players to build bonds, trust and respect with each other.
“Coach Davenport is someone I know will always be there for me whether it is on or off the field,” Junior outfielder Caroline Branch said. “He is the most significant reason I am playing college softball today and I would not be here without all he has done for me. We are very thankful for him, and all he has put into this program.”
In January of 2020, the long-time coach was honored for all his success by being inducted into the Georgia Dugout Club Softball Hall of Fame.
A search for the next head coach to take over the program is currently in full effect after coming off a 52-13 record with a NCAA Super Regional appearance this past season.
