King Named Associate Head Coach
8/24/2010 10:31:24 PM | Softball
Assistant coach Wally King has been promoted associate head coach of the BIG EAST Champion Syracuse softball team, head coach Leigh Ross announced today. King joined the Orange coaching staff in 2008, serving two seasons as assistant coach.
“Wally is one of the top teachers of this game,” Ross said. “His ability to train the finer points of the game is remarkable. He has a real talent for not only detecting a flaw, but correcting it in a way that allows a player to make immediate changes. Wally brings so much more to Syracuse softball than just on the field. He has been such a positive influence for our players and encourages and challenges them to be the most they can be in every aspect of their life. I appreciate his devotion to the program and the confidence he has in me as a head coach. His energy, passion and attitude are inspiring and have made a huge impact in this program.”
A 16-year coaching veteran with 18 years of professional playing experience, King has been involved with all facets of the program from positional coaching to recruiting. A professional hitting instructor, King has worked primarily with the Orange offense and fielding defense, helping to guide the team to its first conference title last season.
"I am honored and excited that Coach Ross has entrusted me with this role,” King said. “I joined her staff because I believe in her leadership, coaching philosophy and vision for the program. It is exciting to see that vision continue to grow into a reality. The program continues to make great strides and we are excited about the future. I feel very fortunate to work not only for Coach Ross and the Syracuse softball family but everyone associated with the athletic department and the University. This is a special place."
Since King's arrival on the hill, the Orange has set single-season records in doubles (82, 2010), triples (14, 2009), walks (195, 2010) and stolen bases (72, 2010). In 2010, Syracuse ranked among the BIG EAST's top five teams in 10 offensive categories, including slugging percentage (.380), on-base percentage (.358), runs scored (238), hits (390), RBI (215), doubles (82), triples (12) and total bases (587), all for the second-consecutive season.
During his inaugural season at SU King produced immediate results as the team raised, both offensively and defensively. The 2009 Orange raised its batting average by 38 points from the previous season to the second-best average in program history (.287) while matching the program-best mark for fielding percentage (.966).
The Orange reports back to campus on August 26 and begins fall practice on September 6.
