UConn has named Laura Valentino as the program’s new head coach.
Valentino spent the last two seasons on staff at Duke, working with the Blue Devils’ infield, catchers, and offense. The Blue Devils recorded fifty-four victories during her pair of seasons on staff, while the program’s offense hit .261 with forty-four home runs under her guidance.
Prior to her tenure at Duke, Valentino spent three years on staff at Charlotte, where her specialties also included the team’s offense, defense, and catching corps. She tutored a pair of all-conference and all-region honorees during her tenure with the 49ers.
In addition to her stints on staff at Duke and Charlotte, Valentino’s coaching resume includes three years on staff at Fairfield.
As a player, Valentino was a four-year letterwinner at Hofstra, the latest head coach to come from the “coaching tree” of legendary Pride head coach Bill Edwards. During Valentino’s career with the Pride, she was part of the two winningest seasons in program history and served as the team’s catcher.
UConn finished the 2019 season with a 21-29 overall record, including an 8-13 mark in American conference play. The Huskies posted a team batting average of .258 on the season, along with a cumulative ERA of 3.15.
