Kylee Marcum Ready to Lead Muskingum Softball

NEW CONCORD, OH – It is a new era for the softball team at Muskingum University, with Kylee Marcum as the new head coach of the storied program.

Marcum assumes the role after serving as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under former coach Laina Connor since 2022, having helped lead the Lady Fighting Muskies to two NCAA tournament berths in recent years. Per a release from the athletics department, Marcum ‘played a key role in all aspects of the program’s success, including practice planning, recruiting, scouting, game preparation, travel coordination, and student-athlete mentorship.’ With all these qualities in hand, Marcum is excited to pick up right where the program left off in 2025.

“Taking over this program and leading the young women in this program has been such an honor” says Marcum, who has a tough act to follow in New Concord. “I’m excited for the challenges, I’m excited to actually get started and this is a great opportunity for me and a great opportunity for this program.”

Since joining the coaching staff under Coach Connor, the Lady Fighting Muskies have assembled an astounding 103-62 overall record with four straight Ohio Athletic Conference tournament appearances and two NCAA tournament berths, much in part thanks to an elite mentality within the program.

“We have kind of just embodied this ‘pressure is a privilege’ type of mentality” continued Marcum. “We are constantly reevaluating, constantly scouting to get the best result. But I believe that making sure that we are preparing to win and not just preparing to participate, has been something that we have continued over the last four years.”

In a statement, Muskingum Associate Vice President for Athletics Kari Winters says “We are excited to be announcing the promotion of Kylee Marcum as head coach for our softball program. Kylee’s passion behind recruitment and competitive performance was evident the entire search process. Her role within our program over the last four years has been a critical part of our team success and we are really looking forward to the future of Muskingum softball under her guidance.”

Marcum steps into her first head coaching job, and understands that there will be challenges along the way, and she’s not alone in tackling those obstacles.

“There’s going to be challenges being a first time head coach” continued the new Muskingum head coach. “I have been absolutely blessed with such a great community, great alumni support, support in our athletic department. I have great assistant coaches who have continued to build relationships with our players as well.”

With still three quarters of a year until the 2027 season begins, Marcum is wasting no time setting up her program for continued success. She adds that finding the ‘right fit’ for the university is crucial for the first official roster under her guidance. “We are really good at finding the right athletes. It’s finding the right fit for our culture, what we’re trying to build, and continuing those team standards throughout our recruiting process as well as embodying those within our current Muskie team”

She certainly knows the program inside and out, and is more than ready to step into the role for a team looking to maintain its success from years past.