Alyson Habetz Explained

Alyson Habetz
Current Title:Head coach
Current Team:Louisiana
Current Conference:Sun Belt
Birth Date:December 17, 1971
Birth Place:Crowley, Louisiana, U.S.
Alma Mater:University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Player Years1:1990–1994
Player Team1:Louisiana
Player Years2:1995–1997
Player Team2:Colorado Silver Bullets
Player Years3:1998
Player Team3:Long Beach Aces
Coach Years1:1998–2006
Coach Team1:Alabama (asst.)
Coach Years2:2007–2023
Coach Team2:Alabama (assoc. HC)
Coach Years3:2025–present
Coach Team3:Louisiana

Alyson Habetz (born December 17, 1971) is an American college softball coach who is the current head coach at Louisiana.

Early life and education

While in high school, Habetz spent two years fighting the state courts for the opportunity to play baseball and eventually became the first female in the state of Louisiana to play high school baseball, earning All-District honors at Notre Dame High School She also earned all-state honors as a basketball player. Habetz graduated from Notre Dame High School class of 1990 as its salutatorian.[1] [2]

She attended University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she played college basketball and college softball. In 1993, she helped the Ragin' Cajuns advance to the Women's College World Series for the first time in program history. In 1994 she earned third-team All-American honors. At the time of her graduation she was the program's seventh leading scorer in women's basketball history with 1,192 points.[3] [4]

Playing career

Following her collegiate career she played professionally for the Colorado Silver Bullets as a pitcher for three years and one year for the Long Beach Aces as a first baseman and pitcher in 1998.[1]

Coaching career

Alabama

On September 21, 1998, Habetz joined Alabama's coaching staff in the program's third year, as the first assistant coach hired by Patrick Murphy.[1] On July 11, 2007, she was promoted to associate head coach.[5] On August 25, 2023, after 25 years with the program, she announced her retirement to help care for her mother.[6] [7]

During her time at Alabama she helped guide them to six SEC regular season titles, five SEC Tournament titles, 14 Women's College World Series appearances and in 2012 the Crimson Tide won its first national championship and the first for any Southeastern Conference program.[8]

Louisiana

On June 25, 2024, Habetz was named the head coach at Louisiana, returning to her alma mater.[9] [10]

Honors

Habetz was inducted into the University of Louisiana's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003, the Louisiana High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006, Louisiana Softball Hall of Fame in 2016 and the West Alabama Softball Hall of Fame in 2019.[11] [12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alyson Habetz . rolltide.com . June 26, 2024.
  2. Web site: Ragin’ Cajuns softball legend Alyson Habetz named head coach at her alma mater . crescentcitysports.com . Matthew . Hebert . June 25, 2024 . June 26, 2024.
  3. Web site: Alabama coaches relish return to Cajun Country . . Kevin . Foote . February 15, 2017 . June 26, 2024.
  4. Web site: Alyson Habetz . . December 29, 2005 . June 26, 2024.
  5. Web site: Habetz promoted to associate UA softball coach . . Tommy . Deas . July 11, 2007 . June 26, 2024.
  6. Web site: Why Longtime Alabama softball assistant coach Alyson Habetz is retiring . . Nick . Kelly . August 25, 2023 . June 26, 2024.
  7. Web site: Associate Head Softball Coach Alyson Habetz Announces Retirement . rolltide.com . August 25, 2023 . June 26, 2024.
  8. Web site: Alumna, Legendary Ragin’ Cajun Alyson Habetz Named Louisiana Softball Head Coach . ragincajuns.com . June 25, 2024 . June 26, 2024.
  9. Web site: UL has hired a Ragin' Cajuns legend to take over the softball program . . Kevin . Foote . June 25, 2024 . June 26, 2024.
  10. Web site: Louisiana names Alyson Habetz new Ragin Cajuns head softball coach . . Scott . Yoshonis . June 25, 2024 . June 26, 2024.
  11. Web site: Former Alabama softball assistant now head coach at Louisiana-Lafayette . . Anna . Snyder . June 25, 2024 . June 26, 2024.
  12. Web site: Alyson Habetz Selected to 2016 Louisiana Softball Hall of Fame Class . rolltide.com . September 29, 2016 . June 26, 2024.