Dot Richardson named D1Softball Mid-Major Coach of the Year

After guiding Liberty to its best season in program history to date, 12th-year head coach Dot Richardson has been named D1Softball Mid-Major Coach of the Year.

Richardson is a five-time conference coach of the year recipient, earning Big South Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2018, ASUN Coach of the Year in 2021 and 2022 and CUSA Coach of the Year this season.

Her staff was named the 2018 NFCA Mid-Atlantic Regional Coaching Staff of the Year.

The Lady Flames finished the 2025 season with a 50-15 record, setting a new program record for single-season victories. Liberty won both the Conference USA regular-season and tournament titles for the second year in a row. The team made history at the 2025 NCAA Bryan-College Station Regional, winning two out of three games against No. 1 Texas A&M to earn its first-ever Super Regional appearance. The Lady Flames were the first team in the Super Regional era to knock out the No. 1 national seed in the Regional round.

Richardson’s squad earned the No. 1 seed for the CUSA Softball Championship, posting a 23-3 conference record while setting the CUSA record for most conference wins in a single season. Under Richardson’s guidance, the Lady Flames have won all 17 Conference USA series since joining the conference prior to the 2024 season.

This year, the Lady Flames got off to an 8-0 start, capped by a 7-6 win over then No. 12 Alabama on Feb. 14.  Liberty set numerous program records this season, both in the batters’ box and in the pitching circle.

The Lady Flames placed nine players on the CUSA All-Conference team this season, including six on first team. Liberty also had the 2025 CUSA Player of the Year (Rachel Roupe), Pitcher of the Year (Elena Escobar), Coach of the Year (Dot Richardson), Newcomer of the Year (Savanah Whatley) and CUSA Tournament MVP (Elena Escobar).

Roupe and KK Madrey were named NFCA All-Region first team selections, while Escobar and Whatley made second team NFCA All-Region. Roupe received All-America second team honors from both Softball America and D1Softball.

D1Softball Awards

National Player of the Year – Bri Ellis, Arkansas

Pitcher of the Year – NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech

Freshman of the Year – Taylor Shumaker, Florida

Coach of the Year – Ashley Chastain, South Carolina

Comeback Player of the Year – Jordy Bahl, Nebraska

Pitching Coach of the Year – Kyle Jamieson, Clemson

Mid-Major Coach of the Year – Dot Richardson, Liberty

Mid-Major Player of the Year – Allison Benning, North Florida.