Belmont University softball head coach Laura Matthews announced July 26, 2023 the promotion of Kennedy Haynes to associate head coach of the Bruin program.
She joined the Belmont Softball staff as an assistant coach in August 2020.
Haynes is a familiar face to the Matthews-led dugout, serving as an assistant at the new BU coach’s two previous stops, including Wittenberg University and Wright State.
“Kennedy is a tremendous young coach who has a great ability to connect with players and drive a program forward,” Matthews said. “Her work ethic and passion for the game of softball are very high-level, and I’ve been able to see first-hand her ability to help players develop.”
The Indianapolis native began her career at Wittenberg as an assistant coach during the 2016-17. The Tigers captured the 2017 North Coast Atlantic Conference (NCAC) regular season title and advanced to the league tournament for a second consecutive season. WU boasted six All-Conference selections, including Pitcher and Newcomer of the Year, and a pair of NFCA All-Region selections from the standout squad.
The following season, Haynes was elevated to interim head coach after Matthews moved on to take the head spot at Wright State. The Tigers went on to win the 2018 regular season NCAC Championship after going 24-17 overall and 15-1 in league play and advanced to the conference tournament, lifted by 6 All-Conference athletes, including Pitcher of the Year.
At the conclusion of that season, Haynes was reunited with Laura Matthews as an assistant coach at Wright State, before the program was ended in the spring of 2020. During her time with the Raiders, she helped the program rebuild, netting three All-Horizon League honorees in 2019.
The Bruin staff addition completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Dayton, excelling as a member of the softball team and in the classroom. The two-time team captain helped the Flyers win the 2015 Atlantic-10 Conference Regular Season Championship title. Over her career, Haynes started in 163 games and playing in 190 over four seasons.
“I am so excited to be working with her again, and I think she will fit in very well with the Belmont athletic department culture,” Matthews said.
