GREEN BAY, Wis. – After 13 seasons at the helm of the Green Bay softball program, head coach Jean Rivett has announced her retirement as the 2014 Phoenix season drew to an end on Saturday.
“I want to thank Jean for all she has done for Green Bay softball and for our department and our institution,” Green Bay Athletics Director Mary Ellen Gillespie said. “She has taken our program to the next level and both the program and our young women are positioned for continued success. This was not an easy decision for Jean but she has our full support. She leaves her 13 year head coaching career on top and will always have a home with the Phoenix family.”
In her 13 seasons serving as the leader of the Phoenix, Rivett posted a 255-207-1 record and is the winningest coach in program history. This season, she helped lead Green Bay to its first-ever regular-season Horizon League title after finishing 11-5. She also guided the team to the program's second conference tournament title and subsequent NCAA Tournament appearance, which also occurred during the 2005 season. The team posted 27 wins in 2014, tying a program record for most wins in a season in addition to posting more than 20 wins for the sixth time under Rivett's reign.
A two-time Horizon League Coach of the Year, Rivett helped coach 24 all-league honorees and five academic all-region honorees.
“Some of the best years of my life have been coaching softball,” Rivett said. “Earlier this year I informed Mary Ellen of my decision. It’s been a great ride, and I want to thank the university for the opportunity to coach and mentor so many young women at Green Bay. I will continue to be these young women’s biggest fan for many years to come. I couldn’t have scripted my last year at Green Bay any better.”
A national search for her replacement will begin immediately.
**Release courtesy of Green Bay Athletic Communications.
