FIU Softball Hires Olivia Watkins as New Head Coach

The FIU Softball program announced on Saturday that it hired Olivia Watkins as its eighth head coach in school history.

Fired up to introduce Olivia Watkins as Head Coach! Welcome to the 305 @oliviaadyan 👏https://t.co/yEAcfOSNQo pic.twitter.com/3hmJPEX6aO

— FIU Softball (@FIUSoftball) June 13, 2026

Overview

Playing Career

Historic Run at Duke

The four-year stretch of her career at Duke was a historic one. In Durham, the Blue Devils hosted an NCAA Regional each season, a feat that was only accomplished once in program history prior to her arrival.

In 2026, Duke went 43-17, including 11 wins against top 25 teams and its second Super Regional appearance in three years. The Blue Hens finished the season with program records in hits, runs, doubles, home runs, and RBI, having both Aminah Vega and Jessica Oakland earn NFCA All-America honors.

During her third year in Durham and first as associate head coach in 2025, Duke had another 40-win season, reaching the Regional Championship game. A program-high of eight players were named to the NFCA’s All-Region squads.

In her second year at Duke in 2024, Watkins led the team to a record-breaking season with a 52-9 record, making an ACC Championship and WCWS appearance. Claire Davidson, Vega, and Jala Wright were NFCA All-Americans.

Olivia Watkins had an immediate impact to Duke on her first season in 2023. NFCA All-American D’Auna Jennings, a lefty slapper, set records in average (.462) and hits (80).

Coach Liv can’t wait to lead this program, and we can’t wait to follow you Coach 🫡 pic.twitter.com/QTsCpRPTnK

— FIU Softball (@FIUSoftball) June 13, 2026

Coaching Career

Before arriving at Duke, Watkins had a three-year stint as an assistant coach at Boston College from 2020 to 2022. The Eagles improved each season under her watch in Chestnut Hill.

She developed All-ACC outfielder Ellie Mataya, who hit over .350 in two straight seasons. Boston College was successful on the base paths, going from 11 stolen bases in 2020, to 21 in 2021, and 40 in 2022.

With the Eagles, Watkins won the 2021 NFCA Natasha Watley Scholarship for Social Change, awarded to a black coach who has brought educational or athletic opportunities in the community, removed obstacles through social change, or has grown the game of fastpitch for black girls or women.

Prior to her time at BC, Watkins was an assistant coach at Dartmouth from 2018 to 2019. As a hitting, base running, and defensive coach for infielders, the Big Green earned the top seed in the 2018 Ivy League Tournament and a part of the regular season title.

Her coaching career began at Illinois, where she was a volunteer assistant coach during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The Fighting Illini posted a 75-42 (.636) record and finished fourth in a 14-team league in 2017.

Our head man couldn’t be happier to have @OliviaAdyan leading @FIUSoftball 🔥

🗣️ @ScottCarrAD pic.twitter.com/dQXDlZtAya

— FIU Athletics (@FIUAthletics) June 13, 2026

Bio

About Post Author

Ricardo Urrusuno

He’s a diehard 305 native who roots for his hometown teams in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Recently, he graduated from FIU with an MBA, but now he’s a Lemonhead covering UM basketball. Known to be anywhere and everywhere, you may catch him at a Miami sporting event.

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