Newman, Johnigan to Step Away from SB Program
5/20/2026 1:39:00 PM | Softball
The duo combined for over 50 years of service to BU
WACO – Baylor softball Associate Head Coach Britni Newman and Assistant Coach Steve "Hoot" Johnigan will be stepping away from the program, head coach Glenn Moore announced Wednesday.
Newman will step away from coaching to spend more time with her family, while Johnigan will retire after more than 30 years of service to Baylor University.
"Brit and Hoot are two of the most beloved coaches in the sport of softball, and I am sad to see them go, but I'm grateful for the impact they have had on our program," Moore said. "Brit's decision to spend more time with her family as her boys enter high school and Coach Johnigan's decision to retire are bittersweet, but best for their families, so I'm excited to see them write those chapters. I'm proud of the hundreds of lives they've impacted, as they leave Baylor a better place. And while they leave two huge holes to fill, I love them dearly and wish them nothing but the best."
Newman joined the Baylor staff in 2004 and quickly helped establish the Bears as one of the premier pitching programs in the country. In her first season in Waco, she guided Baylor to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history while overseeing one of the most remarkable pitching performances in NCAA history, as Cristin Vitek struck out 28 batters against North Carolina in the 2004 NCAA Tournament, setting NCAA, NCAA Tournament and Big 12 records.
"Baylor Softball will always be part of who I am," Newman said. "Over the last 22 years, I've been blessed to coach incredible young women, work alongside amazing people and be part of a program built on faith, resilience and genuine care for one another. I'm forever grateful to Coach Moore, my fellow coaches, our players and the entire Baylor community for the relationships, memories and experiences that made this journey so special. While this decision wasn't easy, Baylor will always hold a special place in my heart, and I'll always be cheering for the Bears."
Over the next two decades, she mentored some of the most accomplished pitchers in program history, including Whitney Canion, Heather Stearns, Gia Rodoni, Dariana Orme and Aliyah Binford. Under her guidance, Baylor pitchers earned All-America honors, Big 12 Pitcher of the Year awards, NFCA All-Region recognition and numerous postseason accolades. Newman was part of Baylor coaching staffs that earned NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year honors in 2007, 2009 and 2011, while helping lead the Bears to four Women's College World Series appearances and seven NCAA Super Regional berths.
Joining the Baylor staff in a part-time capacity in 2019, Johnigan joined the staff full-time in 2021, recently putting a bow on his sixth season with the program. Hoot previously spent time as Associate Director of Athletic Facilities after 20 years as an assistant coach with the Baylor baseball program.
"Words can't describe what Baylor University has meant to my family and me," he said. "This is a special place with special people, and I have been extremely blessed to be here for 31 years! You don't stay somewhere that long if you don't love what you do, where you are doing it and who you are doing it with. The relationships I have developed will last forever and never be forgotten. Sic'em for life!"
Since joining the softball staff, he played a key role in developing Baylor's offense and outfield play, helping guide the Bears back to the postseason four times and mentoring seven different players to 13 all-conference honors, including Baylor's second three-time All-American in Shaylon Govan.
He also helped lead Baylor to its first 40-win season since 2017 in 2023 and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2023 and 2024.
Baylor softball is coming off a 30-win season and its third NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four seasons after advancing to the NCAA Austin Regional final.
Follow @BaylorSoftball on X, Instagram and Facebook for offseason updates and news.
Newman will step away from coaching to spend more time with her family, while Johnigan will retire after more than 30 years of service to Baylor University.
"Brit and Hoot are two of the most beloved coaches in the sport of softball, and I am sad to see them go, but I'm grateful for the impact they have had on our program," Moore said. "Brit's decision to spend more time with her family as her boys enter high school and Coach Johnigan's decision to retire are bittersweet, but best for their families, so I'm excited to see them write those chapters. I'm proud of the hundreds of lives they've impacted, as they leave Baylor a better place. And while they leave two huge holes to fill, I love them dearly and wish them nothing but the best."
Newman joined the Baylor staff in 2004 and quickly helped establish the Bears as one of the premier pitching programs in the country. In her first season in Waco, she guided Baylor to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history while overseeing one of the most remarkable pitching performances in NCAA history, as Cristin Vitek struck out 28 batters against North Carolina in the 2004 NCAA Tournament, setting NCAA, NCAA Tournament and Big 12 records.
"Baylor Softball will always be part of who I am," Newman said. "Over the last 22 years, I've been blessed to coach incredible young women, work alongside amazing people and be part of a program built on faith, resilience and genuine care for one another. I'm forever grateful to Coach Moore, my fellow coaches, our players and the entire Baylor community for the relationships, memories and experiences that made this journey so special. While this decision wasn't easy, Baylor will always hold a special place in my heart, and I'll always be cheering for the Bears."
Over the next two decades, she mentored some of the most accomplished pitchers in program history, including Whitney Canion, Heather Stearns, Gia Rodoni, Dariana Orme and Aliyah Binford. Under her guidance, Baylor pitchers earned All-America honors, Big 12 Pitcher of the Year awards, NFCA All-Region recognition and numerous postseason accolades. Newman was part of Baylor coaching staffs that earned NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year honors in 2007, 2009 and 2011, while helping lead the Bears to four Women's College World Series appearances and seven NCAA Super Regional berths.
Joining the Baylor staff in a part-time capacity in 2019, Johnigan joined the staff full-time in 2021, recently putting a bow on his sixth season with the program. Hoot previously spent time as Associate Director of Athletic Facilities after 20 years as an assistant coach with the Baylor baseball program.
"Words can't describe what Baylor University has meant to my family and me," he said. "This is a special place with special people, and I have been extremely blessed to be here for 31 years! You don't stay somewhere that long if you don't love what you do, where you are doing it and who you are doing it with. The relationships I have developed will last forever and never be forgotten. Sic'em for life!"
Since joining the softball staff, he played a key role in developing Baylor's offense and outfield play, helping guide the Bears back to the postseason four times and mentoring seven different players to 13 all-conference honors, including Baylor's second three-time All-American in Shaylon Govan.
He also helped lead Baylor to its first 40-win season since 2017 in 2023 and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2023 and 2024.
Baylor softball is coming off a 30-win season and its third NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four seasons after advancing to the NCAA Austin Regional final.
Follow @BaylorSoftball on X, Instagram and Facebook for offseason updates and news.
—BaylorBears.com—
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