Parker Staggs Named Assistant Softball Coach

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  – Arkansas softball head coach Courtney Deifel named Parker Staggs the program’s newest assistant coach Friday. Staggs will primarily assist with the coaching of Razorback Pitchers.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Parker Staggs back to our Razorback softball family,” Deifel said. “Parker’s work ethic, personality, and knowledge of the game make him an incredible asset to our program. He has a true passion for Razorback softball and a deep understanding of the program’s culture. We know he will make an immediate impact on our student-athletes, both on and off the field, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him back in Fayetteville.”

A native of Jefferson City, Mo., Staggs recently completed the 2025 season as an assistant coach at Duke, where he assisted with the Blue Devils’ pitching.

In 2025, under Staggs’ guidance, Duke finished the season ranked 20th nationally with 14 shutouts and 25th nationally in strikeout-to-walk ratio at 2.53. Individually, Blue Devils pitcher Dani Drogemuller garnered Second-Team All-ACC honors after registering a team-best 3.13 ERA and 18-9 record in 174.1 innings of work.

Staggs returns to Fayetteville, where he spent the 2019-22 seasons as a team manager before serving the 2023-24 seasons as a graduate student manager for the Razorbacks. During his time on The Hill, Staggs was tasked with various duties to assist the Razorback softball program, including assisting with bullpen sessions, throwing live batting practice and scrimmages. Staggs also assisted on gameday by running the Dartfish and Flightscope software to gather analytic data to help the coaching staff.

Arkansas posted a 225-85 record during his stint as a student and graduate student manager while winning two SEC Regular Season Championships and one SEC Tournament Championship in addition to making five NCAA Tournaments and two Super Regional appearances. During that time, Arkansas had two SEC Pitchers of the Year in Mary Haff (2021) and Chenise Delce (2022), and five NFCA All-America selections in the circle.

“It’s an incredible honor to return to the University of Arkansas — a place that shaped me both as a coach and person,” Staggs said. “Arkansas is my home, and I have immense pride for all that the university has to offer. I’m excited to work with some of the best people, coaches and athletes in the game. I look forward to my return to Bogle Park, with the best fans in the country. Wooo Pig!”

In addition to his collegiate experience, Staggs also served as a coach for the Gators, a local softball team in Jefferson City, and assisted the Kansas City Aces Fastpitch Club. His playing experience involves several men’s fastpitch tournaments and includes an invitation to the USA Junior Men’s National Team selection trials.

A 2022 graduate of Arkansas, Staggs earned his bachelor’s degree in sport and recreation management before earning his master’s in physical education in 2024.

Staggs replaces Danielle Gibson Whorton, who departed for an assistant coaching position at another program.

The Razorbacks are coming off a 44-14 mark in 2025, which featured their eighth-consecutive NCAA Tournament berth and fourth NCAA Super Regional appearance in program history, all of which have come under head coach Courtney Deifel’s guidance.

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