The University of Charleston, fresh off its first NCAA Division II College Softball World Series berth, is looking for a new head softball coach. The coach who led UC to the CWS is headed to Division I.
Ray Loeser, the Golden Eagles' coach since 2012 and the 2016 Mountain East Conference coach of the year, was announced Monday afternoon as the new head softball coach at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He replaces Lynn Curylo, who left WSU to take the head softball coaching job at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
"I'm really excited," Loeser said. "The last five years here at the University of Charleston, there's been a lot of hard work and a lot of effort from a lot of different people. That is the reason I have this opportunity. I have to be humble and respectful for everything that's been built at the University of Charleston, and I'm really excited to take this next journey."
Loeser led the Golden Eagles to a program-record 50 wins in 2016. UC fell to West Virginia Wesleyan in the MEC tournament final, but rebounded to beat the Bobcats in the NCAA Super Regional, clinching that inaugural World Series berth. UC finished at No. 8 in the final NFCA Division II top 25 poll.
Whoever steps into the job will inherit plenty of talent. Both starting pitchers, Allie Burdette and Jessie Rowe, return. Burdette was an all-MEC first team pick and the conference's pitcher of the year. Rowe was a second-team selection. The Golden Eagles also bring back all-conference first-team first baseman Laura Ashlock and first-team outfielder Rachelle Toppings.
"Leaving the University of Charleston was not an easy decision," Loeser said. "For the last five years, this has been everything I've known."
Assistant Justine Kodesh-Wichman will join Loeser on the Wright State staff.
UC athletic director Bren Stevens said that, since she first posted the job on Friday, she has received 40 resumes as of Monday morning. She hopes to have a new coach in place within the next four weeks. For now, a couple of recently graduated UC players will oversee fall practices.
Stevens believes it is an attractive job, in part because of the strides Loeser has made with the program.
"He had a remarkable last couple of years," she said. "I'm not surprised that someone wants to come after my coach. That's what we train them for and hope they have opportunities they're excited about. For him and his family, this is a wonderful move."
Wright State went 37-23 last season and reached the Horizon League title game, losing to Valparaiso in extra innings.