Drohan Signs Contract Extension
10/12/2023 9:27:00 AM | Softball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Head softball coach Kate Drohan has signed a multi-year contract extension, Director of Athletics & Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg announced on Thursday.
"Kate Drohan stands among the nation's coaching elite, consistently choosing Northwestern at every juncture of her remarkable career," said Gragg. "Under her leadership, our softball program has consistently established itself as one of the top programs in the nation– a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence. Coming off back-to-back Big Ten championships, her team's shared goals are clear: to continue their upward trajectory, demonstrating their success is not a destination, but a foundation upon which they are determined to build."
Drohan has led Northwestern since 2002 alongside her twin sister, Caryl, and is the program's all-time wins leader with 745 victories. The Wildcats have made 16 NCAA Tournament appearances during her tenure, including eight in the past nine tournaments. Northwestern has advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals seven times under the Drohans and made three trips to the Women's College World Series in 2006, 2007 and most recently in 2022.
"I am honored to call Northwestern home," said Drohan. "The championship tradition of our program built by Sharon Drysdale, our 247 letterwinners, and so many stakeholders have made Northwestern an incredibly special place. Our work on the softball field is uniquely aligned with our academic mission, and it brings me great joy to celebrate our championships on the field and the remarkable success of our alumni after they graduate.
Last season, Drohan's Wildcats posted a 42-13 record and captured both the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles, before reaching the NCAA Super Regional round for the seventh time since 2005. It was the second season in program history that the Wildcats have swept both the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles, both of which came under Drohan.
Drohan ranks fourth in conference history with four Big Ten titles, while her 745 career wins rank fifth-most ever in the Big Ten. Her 308 career conference victories are the third-most in Big Ten history, a mark which nearly doubles the next highest total among active coaches, while her .667 winning percentage in conference play trails only Carol Hutchins for the all-time Big Ten lead.
The Providence College alum has won five Big Ten Coach of the Year awards, including three of the past four seasons the award was handed out. Her five Big Ten Coach of the Year awards rank second-most in Big Ten history, and are tied for second among active Power-5 coaches in their respective conferences.
Drohan is entering her 23rd season at the helm of Northwestern softball, which matches Drysdale's tenure for the longest coaching stint in program history. In her 22 seasons, Drohan has seen her players earn 104 All-Big Ten awards and 18 NFCA All-American nods.
"I continue to choose Northwestern because I believe there is no other place in the country that intertwines and supports our work on the softball field, in the classroom, and in the community at this championship level," said Drohan. "On a personal level, I love raising my daughter in Evanston and have so many incredible friendships with colleagues, alumni, and our Northwestern community that makes our work that much more meaningful. Go Cats!"
"Kate Drohan stands among the nation's coaching elite, consistently choosing Northwestern at every juncture of her remarkable career," said Gragg. "Under her leadership, our softball program has consistently established itself as one of the top programs in the nation– a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence. Coming off back-to-back Big Ten championships, her team's shared goals are clear: to continue their upward trajectory, demonstrating their success is not a destination, but a foundation upon which they are determined to build."
Continuing to choose Northwestern ???? pic.twitter.com/z0SsKtrfES
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) October 13, 2023
Drohan has led Northwestern since 2002 alongside her twin sister, Caryl, and is the program's all-time wins leader with 745 victories. The Wildcats have made 16 NCAA Tournament appearances during her tenure, including eight in the past nine tournaments. Northwestern has advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals seven times under the Drohans and made three trips to the Women's College World Series in 2006, 2007 and most recently in 2022.
"I am honored to call Northwestern home," said Drohan. "The championship tradition of our program built by Sharon Drysdale, our 247 letterwinners, and so many stakeholders have made Northwestern an incredibly special place. Our work on the softball field is uniquely aligned with our academic mission, and it brings me great joy to celebrate our championships on the field and the remarkable success of our alumni after they graduate.
Last season, Drohan's Wildcats posted a 42-13 record and captured both the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles, before reaching the NCAA Super Regional round for the seventh time since 2005. It was the second season in program history that the Wildcats have swept both the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles, both of which came under Drohan.
Drohan ranks fourth in conference history with four Big Ten titles, while her 745 career wins rank fifth-most ever in the Big Ten. Her 308 career conference victories are the third-most in Big Ten history, a mark which nearly doubles the next highest total among active coaches, while her .667 winning percentage in conference play trails only Carol Hutchins for the all-time Big Ten lead.
The Providence College alum has won five Big Ten Coach of the Year awards, including three of the past four seasons the award was handed out. Her five Big Ten Coach of the Year awards rank second-most in Big Ten history, and are tied for second among active Power-5 coaches in their respective conferences.
Drohan is entering her 23rd season at the helm of Northwestern softball, which matches Drysdale's tenure for the longest coaching stint in program history. In her 22 seasons, Drohan has seen her players earn 104 All-Big Ten awards and 18 NFCA All-American nods.
"I continue to choose Northwestern because I believe there is no other place in the country that intertwines and supports our work on the softball field, in the classroom, and in the community at this championship level," said Drohan. "On a personal level, I love raising my daughter in Evanston and have so many incredible friendships with colleagues, alumni, and our Northwestern community that makes our work that much more meaningful. Go Cats!"
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