Laura Watten

Head Coach

During her first three seasons on the job, Laura Watten has brought a dynamic new energy to the Maryland softball program as the Terps enter their 2009 season. The fourth-year Terrapin mentor has transformed the culture surrounding the Maryland program and brought an exciting brand of softball to Robert E. Taylor Stadium. The Terps have improved their win total in each of Watten's three seasons and rewritten the school record books in the process.

None of it should be surprising, though. Watten's way is the "can-do" way, and it is precisely the approach the coach has taken in her quest to drive Maryland's softball program to national prominence. Hired just prior to the start of the 2005-06 academic year, Watten has worked extensively to elevate all aspects of the program - recruiting, scheduling, student-athlete development - in an effort to put the Terps in a position to succeed on a national scale.

If Watten's past success and the results in her first three years at Maryland are indicators, the Terps are well on their way to making their mark.

Considered one of the rising young coaches in the college game, Watten was fresh off leading Bethune-Cookman College of Daytona Beach, Fla., to the 2005 NCAA Division I Super Regionals when she was tapped to lead the Terps' program. In guiding the Wildcats to a 49-win season - including a regional title over host Florida, South Florida and Central Florida - Watten was named the 2005 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Southeast Region Coach of the Year. Her team ended the 2005 season with a No. 18 final ranking by the NFCA/USA Today.

During Watten's eight years at B-CC, the Wildcats made five NCAA Regional appearances and captured five conference titles. The four-time MEAC coach of the Year posted an eight-year mark of 322-207 and averaged more than 40 wins per season.

B-CC's signature campaign under Watten came in 2005, the 49-win effort highlighted by a title at the NCAA's Gainesville Regional, as well as victories over Florida (twice), Northwestern, Central Florida, South Florida, Virginia Tech, Florida Atlantic and UMass, all of which advanced to the 2005 NCAA Tournament. In total, the Wildcats were 21-17 against teams that finished in the top 100 of the NCAA's RPI (Rating Percentage Index) that year. Statistically in 2005, the Wildcats ranked fourth in the nation in stolen bases per game, 10th in batting average and team ERA, 12th in double plays turned and 25th in scoring.

"In her first three seasons as the head coach of Maryland softball, Coach Watten has effectively begun to infuse the program with the culture, expectations and student-athletes she believes are necessary to take the Terrapins to the next level of competitive success," said senior associate athletic director Chris Boyer. "We fully expect that Laura will have the Terps battling for ACC Championships and a return to the NCAA Softball Regionals in the very near future, while maintaining the commendable level of academic success her teams have consistently achieved, and providing a first-class collegiate experience for her student-athletes."

Off the field, Watten's teams have posted a team GPA of 3.0 or better every year and boast a near-percent graduation rate. Watten's players have been cited as NFCA Academic All-Americans more than 30 times, and 11 Terps have earned ACC All-Academic honors during her tenure in College Park.

Courtney Scott

Assistant Coach

Scott spent the previous two seasons serving as a graduate assistant softball coach for the University of Oklahoma, which posted a 47-14 record while winning its 2008 NCAA Regional tournament and advancing to the Super Regional. For the Terrapins, Scott's primary responsibilities will be overall development and advancement of pitching/catching with additional shared duties in the areas of hitting development and defensive strategy.

While in Norman, Okla., Scott assisted with all aspects of the Sooners' coaching process, including instruction and development of student-athletes, recruitment, coordination of travel and organization of camps and clinics. The 27-year-old native of Clovis, Calif., specialized in working with the Sooners' pitchers and catchers, and briefly occupied the role of interim pitching coach for Oklahoma, a member of the Big 12 Conference.

"We have definitely elevated the level of expertise and enthusiasm of our coaching staff with the hiring of Courtney Scott," Watten said. "She brings a great deal of championship experience and leadership, both as a player and assistant coach, that is necessary in regards to the successful development of our pitching/catching staff. In addition, Courtney's passion and commitment to overall student-athlete success is a great fit for our staff, and I feel fortunate that she has decided to become a part of the Terrapin family."

Prior to arriving at Oklahoma, Scott played professionally for two teams - LeoPalace 21 of the Japan League and NYNJ Juggernaut Professional Softball of National Pro Fastpitch. A three-year stint for LeoPalace 21 saw Scott play for a Tokyo-based club that notched two third place finishes (2005 and 2006) and one runners-up finish (2004) in the ultra-competitive Japan League.

Scott made her professional softball debut in June of 2004, when she joined the NPF's Juggernaut, based out of Montclair, N.J. Her team went on to claim the 2004 NPF Championship, and Scott's experience with the Juggernaut introduced her to the sport's marketing and media opportunities.

An NFCA All-American catcher for the softball team at the University of California-Berkley, Scott served as captain and a four-year starter for a team that enjoyed nearly-unparalleled success. Scott's teams participated in the NCAA Women's College World Series during each of her four seasons, finishing as NCAA Champions her junior season (2002) and NCAA Runners-up her senior year (2003). The two-time All-Pac-10 Conference nominee (2002 and 2003) and NFCA Collegiate Top-40 Selection (2003) also twice achieved Verizon Academic All-American status.

Yolanda McRae

Assistant Coach

McRae comes to College Park after a wildly successful career at Georgia Tech. In 2009, the Yellow Jackets won the ACC regular season and tournament titles, as well as the NCAA regional championship title. In her time in Atlanta, she helped recruit one of the strongest outfields in the ACC, as well as the nation.

A native of Dublin, Ga., she is a 2004 graduate of University of Georgia, where she earned her bachelor's degree in health and physical education. She played one season as a Bulldog, in which she helped the team win its first SEC title. She was a two-year letterwinner at Georgia State prior to her time at Georgia.

"Yolanda is the perfect addition to our staff, as she brings a great level of championship experience, enthusiasm and passion for the game. She will be primarily working with our offense and outfield, while also carrying duties in the area of recruiting. We are truly excited to have acquired someone with such a great spirit and work ethic and I feel strongly that Yolanda will contribute greatly to our future success,"

Upon graduation, she served as a volunteer assistant for the Bulldogs. In 2006, she helped guide the team to a national Top 10 ranking and an overall record of 51-13 and 24-6 conference record. They won the SEC east division. UGA ended the 2006 season fifth in the nation in runs per game (6.0) and seventh in batting average (.323) and slugging percentage (.490).