Katie Neubauer Honored as National Assistant of the Year

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — University of Tampa assistant coach Katie Neubauer was recognized as nine member coaches were honored when the NFCA revealed its collegiate recipients of the 2025 Easton/NFCA Assistant Coach of the Year award, the Association announced on Wednesday.

Neubauer, who joined the program in May 2021, played a pivotal role in the Spartans' national runner-up finish in their first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II National Championship finals. Tampa posted a 48-12 mark, registered a historic 28-game win streak and won their first South Region title.

She handles the practice plans, game-day prep and scouting, along with overseeing the offense and defensive planning. Since her arrival, numerous Spartans have earned postseason honors, including multiple NFCA All-Region and All-America recipients, under her guidance as well as the Spartans winning four consecutive Sunshine State Conference titles.

Garnering honors this year are Sam Marder (University of Oregon / DI), Katie Neubauer (University of Tampa / DII),  Brianna Cooper (Virginia Wesleyan University / DIII), Cheyenne Bricker (Southern Oregon University / NAIA), Ray Aguirre (Hutchinson Community College / NJCAA DI), Mateighia Tanner (Neosho County Community College / NJCAA DII), Josh Gooch (Patrick & Henry Community College / NJCAA DIII), Karlee Coughlin (Yuba College / Cal JC) and Emmylou Clark (Grays Harbor College / NWAC).

These awards recognize the efforts of coaches from the various NFCA membership categories for their tireless dedication to the sport of softball and to the continued education, growth and development of young women, both on and off the playing field. The winners will be recognized on Dec. 13 during the NFCA Convention's Awards Brunch in Las Vegas.

The winners were nominated by NFCA member coaches and selected by a panel of their peers on the NFCA Awards Committee.