Crockett-Pope joins Saluki Softball coaching staff

CARBONDALE — Southern Illinois University softball head coach Jen Sewell named Kiarra Crockett-Pope as an assistant coach ahead of the 2024 season. The announcement was made in a news release Friday

As a player, Crockett-Pope had a standout career at California State University Northridge (CSUN). In 2019, she was named the Big West Co-Freshman Field Player of the Year. She was also a Big West All-Freshman team. In addition, she was also a Second Team All-Conference selection.

She will coach on the field and in all positions at SIU, including defense, bullpens, and hitting.

“With the NCAA rule change we are truly excited to add a fourth coach to our staff,” Sewell said. “Ki brings us experience playing and coaching all the positions on the field. You will see her in the bullpen, with hitting, defense, and helping out with our athletes off the field as well.”

The coaching resume of Crockett-Pope

Crockett-Pope joins the coaching staff after serving as a voluntary assistant coach at the University of California Riverside in 2023. The Highlanders posted a record of 25-28 this past season and ended the year on a five-game winning streak. 

Prior to UC Riverside, Crockett-Pope coached at Loyola Marymount. She was a member of a Lions team that posted a 37-17 record in 2022. That season, the program won its first West Coast Conference title in its history, and made an appearance at the NCAA Regional, beating Ole Miss in the opener. 

“Her best fit is into our incredible culture here at SIU Softball,” Sewell said. “Ki was and is a big-time competitor but she is also a remarkable human so for our student-athletes, it’s a big deal to get to work with her in all phases of the game. I want to see players retire from playing the game and return to coaching it so it’s great to see her continue those steps. Ki is going to be a huge asset on and off the field for us, we definitely got better today.”

Crockett-Pope graduated from CSUN with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies.

“I am so grateful and excited for this new journey. I can’t wait to start working, growing, and competing with this group,” Crockett-Pope said.