Introduction to a New Era
The University of Houston’s athletic director, Eddie Nuñez, has been on a mission to transform the women’s sports landscape at the university. After a national coaching search, Nuñez found himself returning to one candidate who stood out from the rest: Chrissy Schoonmaker. Schoonmaker’s passion for wanting to be at UH was unparalleled, and her experience as a head coach at George Washington and assistant coach at Texas Tech made her the ideal choice.
The Coaching Search
Nuñez tells PaperCity that Schoonmaker was always one of the top three candidates in his mind. "As the process went, she was always one of the top — top three I would say," he says. "She had a lot of things that connected well with us. Her passion for wanting to be at UH was out of the roof." Steve Singleton, the associate head coach at the University of Texas, was also a candidate for the job, but in the end, Schoonmaker’s experience and passion won out.
A Proven Track Record
Schoonmaker has a proven track record as a head coach, leading George Washington to an Atlantic 10 title in her first season and earning herself Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honors. She also has experience recruiting in Texas, which will be a major asset for the University of Houston. Nuñez believes that Schoonmaker’s experience as a head coach will be critical in building a winning program at UH.
Transforming Women’s Sports at UH
Nuñez’s hire of Schoonmaker is just one part of his larger plan to transform women’s sports at the University of Houston. He has already brought in a high-profile new women’s basketball coach in Matthew Mitchell and an aggressive new women’s soccer coach in Ben Williams. Nuñez believes that investing in women’s sports is crucial to building a winning athletic culture at the university.
The Challenge Ahead
University of Houston softball has struggled in recent years, with the team going 8-41 in two Big 12 conference seasons. Schoonmaker will have her work cut out for her as she tries to turn the program around. However, Nuñez is confident that she has the skills and experience necessary to succeed. "Texas Tech is in there," he says. "There’s nothing to say that we can’t or we shouldn’t be able to do what they’ve done. Is it going to take an investment? Absolutely."
Meeting the Team
Schoonmaker has already met with the UH softball players via Zoom, and Nuñez says that they are excited about the new direction of the program. "They just want a chance to talk to this new coach and understand what kind of game plan they’re going to put together," he says. "How they fit in. How they’re going to go about recruiting."
Conclusion
The hiring of Chrissy Schoonmaker as the new head coach of the University of Houston softball team is a major step forward for the program. With her experience and passion, Schoonmaker is well-equipped to turn the program around and build a winning culture. Nuñez’s commitment to investing in women’s sports is a testament to his dedication to building a successful athletic program at the university. As the University of Houston looks to the future, it’s clear that Schoonmaker and Nuñez are ready to take on the challenge and make a lasting impact on the world of college softball.
