TROY, Ala. ----- Auburn University at Montgomery softball head coach Eric Newell was announced the new head coach of the Troy University softball program today.
 
Newell, who joined the AUM program in December of 2014, led the Warhawks to a 302-88 (.774) record during his tenure, a pair of Gulf South Conference Regular-Season and Tournament Championships, four national tournament appearances and the 2015 NAIA National Championship.
 
"This is such a great professional opportunity for Coach Newell, and one he has certainly earned," Acting Director of Athletics Amber Rae Childers said. "While we are sad to be losing a friend and colleague, I could not be more excited for Eric and his family about this new endeavor. We wish him, April and their family the very best."
 
Last season, the Warhawks posted a 49-13 record, including a 25-5 mark in GSC play. Newell led AUM to its second consecutive regular-season and tournament championship, earning the top seed in the NCAA Division II South Region for the second consecutive year. The Warhawks rallied in both the NCAA Regional and Super-Regional to win the South Region Championship and punch a ticket to the Division II Finals in Denver last week. Newell was selected the Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year, while he and assistant coach Scottie Wilkes garnered NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year honors for the second consecutive season.
 
Additionally during his tenure as head coach, Newell led the program to its first ranking in the NCAA Division II top-25, coached six NFCA All-Americans, 14 All-South Region performers, seven CoSIDA Academic All-District selections and two CoSIDA Academic All-Americans. He was selected the NAIA National Coach of the Year in 2015, while he and Wilkes were selected the NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year in 2015 and 2021.
 
"This is certainly a bittersweet moment for me and my family," Newell said. "AUM has been home to us for the past eight years and I have thoroughly enjoyed leading the program and its student-athletes during that time. I know the softball program here will continue to flourish, but I am extremely excited about this next opportunity. I am also incredibly thankful for the past players, administrators and my current colleagues who helped make this a possibility."
 
In 16 seasons as a head coach, Newell's teams have dominated on the field, posting a combined .727 winning percentage between his eight years at Williams Baptist (254-121) and eight seasons at AUM (302-88). Newell-coached teams have won eight conference titles and appeared in six NCAA or NAIA postseason tournaments with four World Series appearances.

Troy University, a member of NCAA Division I's Sun Belt Conference, posted a 31-21 record in 2022.