Amanda Scott Named Executive Director of Softball Operations and Program Strategy

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  – Arkansas softball head coach Courtney Deifel announced the hiring of Amanda Scott as the program’s executive director of softball operations and program strategy.

“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to join such an accomplished softball staff and to become part of a program coming off a historic season,” Scott said. “There is so much excitement and momentum surrounding this program. The success this program has achieved reflects the hard work, commitment, and culture already in place. I am excited to join this incredible group, contribute to its continued success, and help build on the strong foundation that has been established going forward.”

Scott arrives in Fayetteville with extensive high-level coaching and playing experience. She most recently served as the head coach at the University of Missouri Saint Louis (UMSL) from 2017-2023, compiling a 205-137 overall record while leading the Tritons to four NCAA DII Tournament appearances and a pair of Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament Championships. During her seven seasons at the helm, UMSL had three All-Americans, nine all-region selections and 24 All-GLVC honorees. In 2019, Scott was named GLVC Coach of the Year after leading the Tritons to a 35-19 record that included a GLVC Tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance. That season’s victories included wins over No. 2 Southern Arkansas, No. 12 Indianapolis, No. 14 Grand Valley State, No. 25 Gannon, and a sweep of Southern Indiana, the defending NCAA DII national champion.

Prior to her time at UMSL, Scott was the first coach in program history at Division II Roosevelt University in Chicago from 2013-2016.

Before moving into head coaching roles, Scott served as an assistant coach under U.S. Olympian Michelle Venturella for three seasons at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) from 2009-2011. She helped rebuild the Flames program during her tenure, culminating in UIC winning the 2011 Horizon League tournament title and making its first NCAA Division I Regional Championship appearance since 2004. The Flames also captured the 2009 Horizon League regular season title during her time with the squad.

From 2005 to 2007, Scott served as the pitching coach at Iowa. While a member of the Hawkeyes staff, Scott coached Britany Weil to consecutive All-Big Ten Honors for her efforts in the circle. She also assisted with recruiting and team travel coordination as well as planning and directing the Iowa Softball Winter Pitching Clinic.

She began her coaching career at Michigan State in 2003, spending two seasons with the Spartans as a part of Jacquie Joseph’s staff. In 2003, Scott helped lead the Spartans to a 40-19 overall record and an NCAA Regional appearance before guiding Michigan State to a Big Ten Tournament Championship and NCAA Regional berth in 2004.

On the playing field, Scott was one of the greatest pitchers ever to stand in the circle at the collegiate level. During her four-year playing career at Fresno State from 1997-2000, she went 106-18 in the circle with 68 shutouts, 10 saves and 851 strikeouts while posting a 0.55 ERA in 871 innings of work. She led the Bulldogs to a national championship in 1998 and a 226-49 (91-13 WAC) mark with four NCAA Tournament appearances, three Women’s College World Series appearances and three WAC Championships (1998, 1999, 2000). She led the nation in ERA in both her junior and senior seasons with marks of 0.41 in 2000 and 0.24 in 1999 while posting records of 33-5 and 29-4, respectively.

Besides her coaching roles, Scott also served as a color commentator for the Big Ten Network during the 2008 season.

In addition to Scott’s hiring, Dan Bartosik will now serve as the program’s Director of Technology and Player Operations.

Arkansas is coming off a historic 47-13 campaign, which featured the Razorbacks’ first trip to the Women’s College World Series in program history. The 2026 Arkansas squad’s 47 victories were the second-most in program history, while the Razorbacks’ 26 run-rule wins were a program record. At Bogle Park, Arkansas posted a 29-3 record, which marked the second-most wins and second-best winning percentage since the stadium opened in 2009, trailing only 31 wins in 2022 and a .931 winning percentage during a 27-2 campaign in 2018.

For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.