Eric Boggs
On Monday, Ohio State made the decision to part ways with head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly. Over her 12-year tenure, Kovach Schoenly guided the Buckeyes to a commendable 367-226-1 record, along with securing five NCAA Regional appearances.
Mike Penner, the executive associate athletic director at Ohio State, expressed gratitude towards Kovach Schoenly for her impactful leadership both on and off the field. Penner’s sentiments were shared in an official statement released by the university.
In the 2024 season, Ohio State achieved a 31-20 overall record, with a conference standing of 12-11 in the Big Ten. Despite entering the Big Ten Tournament as the sixth seed, the Buckeyes faced an unexpected defeat in the opening round against the eleventh-seeded Wisconsin. This loss resulted in Ohio State missing out on the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year and the fourth time in the last five years.
Kovach Schoenly took over as the eighth head coach in the history of Ohio State softball, succeeding the renowned Linda Kalafatis, who held the position for 16 seasons. Notably, between Kovach Schoenly and Kalafatis, they collectively directed the Buckeyes for 28 out of the program’s 52-year history.
Adding a layer to Kovach Schoenly’s background, it’s worth mentioning that she played her college softball at Michigan between 1994-1995. While it’s unclear if her playing background had any bearing on the team’s performance, having a former rival coach any program at Ohio State raises eyebrows, particularly with a wealth of qualified coaches hailing from the Buckeye state.
The Ohio State athletic department wasted no time in initiating the search for Kovach Schoenly’s successor, as announced in an official press release. The decision to seek a new coach is likely influenced by the program’s failure to secure a conference championship during Kovach Schoenly’s tenure. With Ohio’s rich talent pool, winning the Big Ten is deemed essential and falling short is deemed unacceptable.
