Shannon Doepking, who played on an NCAA runner-up team at Tennessee and most recently rebuilt Dartmouth's softball program, is the new head softball coach at Syracuse.

"We welcome Shannon to the Syracuse athletics department and community," Wildhack said. "She has great passion and energy to lead our program. Her background as a student-athlete who played at the highest level, as an assistant coach for successful programs and who has won two Ivy League titles at Dartmouth, is tremendous. Shannon's strategic plan for Syracuse softball is off the charts."

"I would like to thank Herman Frazier, senior deputy athletics director, and the entire Syracuse search committee for this incredible honor to lead the Syracuse softball program," Doepking said. "I am passionate about developing student-athletes and building off the foundation that the previous staff at Syracuse has constructed. I look forward to working tirelessly to elevate the Syracuse softball program to prominence in the ACC and on the national landscape."

Constructing A Winner at Dartmouth

Doepking guided Dartmouth to two Ivy League Championships (2015, 2018) and a 118-98 (.546) overall record during her four years at the helm. The Big Green won 20-or-more contests in three of Doepking's four seasons, including a 22-18 overall record and 16-5 Ivy League mark in 2018.

Doepking helped improve the program's standing by increasing Dartmouth's strength of schedule. The Big Green owned the best rating percentage index (RPI) in the Ivy League in three of the four seasons Doepking was in charge.

She coached a number of award winners during her tenure, including the Ivy League Player of the Year (2015, 2016), the Ivy League Pitcher of the Year (2015), and the Ivy League Rookie of the Year (2018). Dartmouth student-athletes earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region honors and 21 Ivy League first- and second-team awards. Doepking also guided four Ivy League All-Academic honorees.

Doepking helped create and direct an alumni mentoring and networking program at Dartmouth. She departs the Big Green with the second most coaching victories in program history (118) and two of Dartmouth's three Ivy League titles.

First Head Coaching Post at Amherst

Doepking's first college head coaching job was at Amherst College. In 2014, she coached the Mammoths to a 21-11 record. Amherst hit .343 as a team in under Doepking.

One of her student-athletes, senior outfielder Kaitlin Silkowitz, was selected Capital One Softball First Team Academic All-America. Three players, including Silkowitz, were named to the All-New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) team and to the NFCA All-Region squad.

Starting at Coaching Career

Her first coaching experience at the collegiate level came as an assistant softball coach at Stony Brook. Doepking was an assistant on the staff of Megan Bryant. The Seawolves were 35-25 in 2013, won the America East Conference title for the first time in five years and earned a spot in the NCAA postseason.

Going Pro

Doepking was drafted 15th overall in the 2008 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Draft by the Akron Racers. She went on to play for the USSSA Pride, the Tennessee Diamonds and the Chicago Bandits in a pro career that covered five seasons. The Bandits won the 2015 Cowles Cup as NPF champions and Doepking earned All-NPF team honors.

A Successful Tennessee Volunteer

Doepking earned a bachelor's degree in sociology at Tennessee in 2008. She was a four-year letter winner with the Volunteers and played on squads that reached the Women's College World Series three times (2005, 2006, and 2007) and finished as national runner-up in 2007.

A catcher, she earned 2005 All-Southeastern Conference Freshman Team recognition after hitting .274 with seven home runs and 42 RBI as a first-year performer. The Lady Vols tied the NCAA Division I record for wins after posting a 67-15 record that spring. Tennessee made its first Women's College World Series in 2005.

Doepking batted .236 with a home run and 24 RBI as a sophomore while helping the Lady Vols back into the Women's College World Series. Tennessee was 61-12 on the year.

As a junior, Doepking earned 2007 All-Southeastern Conference First-Team honors and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-South Region laurels. She hit .278 with six homers and 28 RBI. Doepking helped manage a Tennessee pitching staff that led the Division I ranks in earned-run average (0.88). The Lady Vols were 63-8 overall and finished second to Arizona at the Women's College World Series.

In 2008, Doepking played on a Tennessee club that was 50-16 and earned a berth in the NCAA postseason. She hit .315 with four home runs and 47 RBI.

While at Tennessee, Doepking was coached by the legendary duo of Karen and Ralph Weekly.

Doepking's Scholastic Softball Career

She played softball at Highland High School (Cal.). Doepking was named a Los Angeles Daily News Top-10 hitter in 2002 and 2003. She also lettered in golf and volleyball at Highland. 

Syracuse 

The Syracuse softball program first competed in 2000. Doepking becomes the fourth head softball coach at Syracuse, joining Mary Jo Firnbach (2000-06), Leigh Ross(2007-15) and Mike Bosch (2016-18).

Syracuse softball competed as a member of the BIG EAST Conference from 2000-13 before switching to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2014. The Orange made three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Syracuse was 30-20 last season.

Info provided by Syracuse Athletics.