Greencastle, Ind. - Erica Hanrahan, head softball coach at DePauw since August 2012, has announced her decision to resign effective September 16.

"I consider myself the most fortunate coach in the profession to have led DePauw softball for the past 12 years," said Hanrahan.

"Very few experiences in my lifetime have brought me greater joy. I have received countless blessings from the meaningful connections I have made as a Tiger, and my heart is filled with immeasurable gratitude for the relationships built with current and future players and their families, alumni and parents of alumni, colleagues and friends, as well as the faculty and staff within our university community. I will carry these people and the memories made here at DePauw with me forever.

"While coaching has been one of the greatest joys of my life, I am equally grateful and considerably lucky for my role as a daughter. Over the past eight months, I've needed to devote more of my time and energy to caring for my family. DePauw athletics and this softball program -as well as the softball community at large- has supported me in ways I'll never forget. My heart is indebted to these wonderful people who I consider my second family. However, at this moment, it is important that I turn my full attention to being a daughter, which includes relocating closer to home." 

Gabby Smart, DePauw's associate head softball coach, will assume the day-to-day leadership of the program and a national search will commence shortly. 

"Erica's impact on the DePauw softball program is immeasurable," said Stevie Baker-Watson, DePauw's associate vice president for student wellness and Theodore Katula director of athletics and recreational sports. "We are grateful for her leadership and she will forever be a Tiger." 

The longest-tenured coach in program history, Hanrahan's teams recorded a 329-184-1 record in her 12 seasons. In that time, the Tigers made nine NCAA Division III postseason appearances including a stretch of eight straight possible from 2014-22 with a 20-20 record. The 2021 Tigers finished in a tie for third, while the 2015 squad tied for fifth. DePauw's 40 wins in 2021 matched the program record previously set in 2008 and 2010. 

In North Coast Athletic Conference play, Hanrahan directed DePauw to a 148-20 mark including nine regular season titles and seven conference tournament championships. She was named the NCAC Coach of the Year three times and directed the NCAC Staff of the Year once. Hanrahan and her staff earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association Regional Coaching Staff of the Year honors in 2015 and 2021.

"I want to express my deep appreciation to Gabby Smart for her dedication to our team and her commitment to supporting the next head coach in guiding DePauw softball into its brightest future ahead," Hanrahan added. 

"I am also immensely thankful to Stevie Baker-Watson for offering me this life-changing opportunity over a decade ago and for the dedicated support provided to me, our program, our department, and the university along this journey. I believe in my heart: once a Tiger, always a Tiger."