Danielle Gibson Whorton returned to The Hill on July 14, 2023, as the program’s assistant coach. The program’s first two-time NFCA All-American, Gibson Whorton assists with the program’s offense and defense.
During her first year in Fayetteville, Gibson Whorton helped guide the Razorbacks to a 37-18 mark (14-10 SEC) and a No. 12 national seed in the NCAA Tournament. Under Gibson’s watch first baseman Bri Ellis earned NFCA All-America honors after posting a career-best .322 batting average and .444 on-base percentage with 14 home runs and 47 RBI. While helping assist the defense, Gibson Whorton helped guide the Razorbacks to a program-record .978 fielding percentage, which ranked ninth nationally and first in the conference. Ellis and third baseman Hannah Gammill earned spots on the SEC All-Defensive team.
Gibson Whorton spent the 2022 season as a volunteer assistant at Georgia. While in Athens, Gibson Whorton guided Georgia hitters to four All-SEC honors, four NFCA All-Region accolades and two NFCA All-America selections.
Gibson Whorton assisted with the Bulldogs’ offense in 2023, helping Georgia sit among the nation’s best in several categories. On a national scale, Georgia ranked second in slugging percentage (.578), fourth in home runs (92), sixth in home runs per game (1.61), 12th in scoring (6.18) and 14th in batting average (.318).
Gibson Whorton had a prolific four-year playing career for the Razorbacks from 2019-22. She set single-season school records in batting average (.445), hits (81), RBI (70) and total bases (155) as a senior in 2022. She was named a Top 10 Finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year along with racking up NFCA First Team All-America, NFCA First Team All-South Region, First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive team honors in her final year. The Murrieta, Calif., native’s 70 RBIs and 155 total bases paced the SEC. Gibson Whorton led the SEC in RBI (33) and total bases (65) during conference play while sharing the conference lead with 10 home runs and ranking second in hits with 32. Piecing together a team-best 26 multi-hit games, she powered a dangerous Razorback offense that achieved several single-season program records in 2022. She became Arkansas’ all-time RBI and total bases leader during her senior season.
As a junior in 2021, Gibson Whorton earned NFCA Second Team All-America status. In addition, she reeled in Second Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team honors.
Gibson Whorton was drafted by Athletes Unlimited in spring 2022 and recently concluded her second professional season in Rosemont, Ill.
She completed her bachelor’s of science degree in Psychology from Arkansas in 2022. Gibson Whorton married her husband Mallie in 2021.
