Meuchel Named D1Softball National Assistant Coach of the Year Top 25 Finalist

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  – Arkansas Softball associate head coach Matt Meuchel has been named a Top 25 Finalist for D1Softball’s National Assistant Coach of the Year award, the publication announced Wednesday morning.

Meuchel was one of 25 finalists for the award, including one of 11 in the SEC. Former Arkansas associate head coach and current Tulsa head coach DJ Gasso is also up for the award.

Entering his 11th season in 2027, Meuchel has played a massive role alongside head coach Courtney Deifel in turning the Razorbacks into a perennial national contender.  Meuchel is one of the sport’s leaders in analytics and also coordinates the Razorbacks’ defense. All six of the Hogs’ top six single-season fielding percentages have come under his watch. During his 10 seasons in Fayetteville, Meuchel has helped guide the Hogs to a Women’s College World Series appearance, two SEC regular season championships, one SEC Tournament crown, five NCAA Super Regionals and nine straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

In 2026, Meuchel helped lead Arkansas to a 47-13 record (15-9 SEC) and the first Women’s College World Series in program history. The Razorbacks’ 47 wins were the second-most in program history, while Arkansas earned a No. 5 national seed in the NCAA Tournament. It marked the seventh national seed in program history, all of which have come during Meuchel’s tenure. On the road to Oklahoma City, the Hogs made their second consecutive Super Regional appearance and their fifth Super Regional in program history, all of which have come during Meuchel’s time on The Hill.  Arkansas swept its way through NCAA Regional and Super Regional play while becoming the first team nationally since Arizona in 1995 to run-rule its first five NCAA Tournament contests.

Additionally, Arkansas was just the eighth team in NCAA history to run-rule all games played in a regional since the Super Regional format was introduced in 2005. The Hogs also won each of their home SEC series and registered a 17-game winning streak from Feb. 7 to March 1. As a result of the Hogs’ historic season, the Arkansas Coaching Staff was named the 2026 ATEC/NFCA Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year for the fourth time in program history. All three previous occurrences have also come during Meuchel’s tenure, in 2022, 2021, and 2018, when the Hogs were in the South Region.

The Razorbacks had another tremendous season defensively under Meuchel’s tutelage, posting a .980 fielding percentage, which ranked sixth nationally. Arkansas was the only program in the country to post a .980+ fielding percentage in both the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The Razorbacks’ defensive success was headlined by a program-record 37 double plays, leading the SEC and ranking third nationally.  Left fielder Dakota Kennedy, third baseman Ella McDowell and center fielder Reagan Johnson were selected to the SEC All-Defensive Team. Seven of the Hogs’ nine everyday players posted individual fielding percentages above .960. Senior First baseman Tianna Bell posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with 359 putouts and two assists. Meuchel’s scheduling also helped Arkansas finish the 2026 regular season with the nation’s top RPI, marking the sixth consecutive season the Razorbacks finished in the Top 20 nationally. Arkansas also finished the 2026 campaign with the toughest schedule in Division I Softball, as the Hogs’ opponents combined for a record of 2,267-1097 (.674).

D1Softball has issued this award annually since 2024, but this is the first time the publication is releasing the full list of 25 finalists. The D1Softball National Assistant Coach of the Year, as well as the National Pitching Coach of the Year, presented by PitchCom, will be announced on August 31.

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.