Stephanie DeFeo was named Mercer's head softball coach on August 17, 2016.
Stephanie DeFeo Named Head Coach at Mercer
8/17/2016 2:27:00 PM | Softball
Following James DeFeo's resignation
MACON, Ga. – Mercer co-head softball coach Stephanie DeFeo has been named the sole head coach of the Bears' softball program, Athletics Director Jim Cole announced Wednesday. DeFeo has spent the last three seasons as the co-head coach.
The announcement comes following the resignation of co-head coach James DeFeo in order to pursue a similar position at another NCAA Division I school.
Stephanie has served as co-head coach since arriving on the school's Macon campus in July of 2013.
"There's no question James has elevated our softball program and athletic department during his tenure at Mercer," Cole said. "We wish him only the best moving forward.
"Our ability to have Stephanie transition seamlessly from the title of co-head coach to head coach is something we're very excited about. Since arriving at Mercer in 2013, Stephanie has had an immediate impact on the success of our softball program and I'm confident she'll continue to raise the bar."
James leaves Macon with his legacy cemented on the Mercer softball program, having led the Bears to unprecedented success since his hiring in September of 2011. In his five seasons at Mercer, James compiled an overall record of 147-134 and owns the second-best winning percentage (.523), trailing only Stephanie (.565). He finished six wins short of setting the program's all-time wins record as well.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for my sister and the Mercer softball program," James said. "We both built something special at Mercer and I'm confident Stephanie will continue the standard of excellence that this program stands for – Bears softball is in good hands."
Over three different head coaching stints at East Tennessee State, UNCG and Mercer, Stephanie owns a 206-191 overall record. Since joining the Mercer staff as co-head coach in 2013, the Bears have posted a 99-76 record.
"I would like to thank Jim Cole and Sybil Blalock for giving me this incredible opportunity to lead the Mercer softball program," Stephanie said. "I'm excited to continue building on the foundation of excellence that James has established. I look forward to guiding this program and developing our student-athletes into champions, scholars and great citizens."
The Bears reached two consecutive league tournament championship games under the DeFeo siblings' leadership – the 2014 Atlantic Sun championship and the 2015 Southern Conference championship – just narrowly missing NCAA Tournament berths in both. Mercer went a combined 76-41 in those two seasons, the best two-year stretch in program history.
James also groomed seven all-league first team selections, including 2015 SoCon Pitcher of the Year Kirsten Stevens and two of Mercer's top-three all-time batting average leaders in McKenzie Woody and Taylor Miller.
Stephanie and the Bears will look to improve upon a 23-35 record in 2016 as they return eight position starters, including Miller, a 2016 All-SoCon First Team pick, and all five pitchers who saw action last spring, including 2016 SoCon All-Tournament Team pitcher Megan Bilgri.
For all the latest news on the Mercer softball program, please follow the Bears on Twitter at @MercerUSoftball.
The announcement comes following the resignation of co-head coach James DeFeo in order to pursue a similar position at another NCAA Division I school.
Stephanie has served as co-head coach since arriving on the school's Macon campus in July of 2013.
"There's no question James has elevated our softball program and athletic department during his tenure at Mercer," Cole said. "We wish him only the best moving forward.
"Our ability to have Stephanie transition seamlessly from the title of co-head coach to head coach is something we're very excited about. Since arriving at Mercer in 2013, Stephanie has had an immediate impact on the success of our softball program and I'm confident she'll continue to raise the bar."
James leaves Macon with his legacy cemented on the Mercer softball program, having led the Bears to unprecedented success since his hiring in September of 2011. In his five seasons at Mercer, James compiled an overall record of 147-134 and owns the second-best winning percentage (.523), trailing only Stephanie (.565). He finished six wins short of setting the program's all-time wins record as well.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for my sister and the Mercer softball program," James said. "We both built something special at Mercer and I'm confident Stephanie will continue the standard of excellence that this program stands for – Bears softball is in good hands."
Over three different head coaching stints at East Tennessee State, UNCG and Mercer, Stephanie owns a 206-191 overall record. Since joining the Mercer staff as co-head coach in 2013, the Bears have posted a 99-76 record.
"I would like to thank Jim Cole and Sybil Blalock for giving me this incredible opportunity to lead the Mercer softball program," Stephanie said. "I'm excited to continue building on the foundation of excellence that James has established. I look forward to guiding this program and developing our student-athletes into champions, scholars and great citizens."
The Bears reached two consecutive league tournament championship games under the DeFeo siblings' leadership – the 2014 Atlantic Sun championship and the 2015 Southern Conference championship – just narrowly missing NCAA Tournament berths in both. Mercer went a combined 76-41 in those two seasons, the best two-year stretch in program history.
James also groomed seven all-league first team selections, including 2015 SoCon Pitcher of the Year Kirsten Stevens and two of Mercer's top-three all-time batting average leaders in McKenzie Woody and Taylor Miller.
Stephanie and the Bears will look to improve upon a 23-35 record in 2016 as they return eight position starters, including Miller, a 2016 All-SoCon First Team pick, and all five pitchers who saw action last spring, including 2016 SoCon All-Tournament Team pitcher Megan Bilgri.
For all the latest news on the Mercer softball program, please follow the Bears on Twitter at @MercerUSoftball.
Players Mentioned
Men’s Basketball Preview | Head Coach Ryan Ridder
Monday, October 27
Women’s Basketball Preview | Head Coach Michelle Clark-Heard
Monday, October 27
Mercer Football Press Conference (Week 9 vs Furman)
Monday, October 27
Mercer 62 | VMI 0 Post Game Press Conference 10.25.25
Sunday, October 26
