George Washington University Athletics
Winkler Resigns as Softball Head Coach
5/28/2021 5:05:00 PM | Softball
Winkler led Buff & Blue to first NCAA appearance this spring
WASHINGTON -Â Shane Winkler has resigned as GW softball head coach to take the same position at East Carolina.
Over the past three seasons, Winkler guided the Buff and Blue on a historic run, culminating in the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance last weekend at the Baton Rouge Regional.
Winkler was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year this spring after his squad rolled to its first conference regular season title with a 23-1 mark in league play. The Buff and Blue followed up that success by claiming the A-10 Championship title, winning four straight elimination games to punch their ticket to the national tournament.
"Our best wishes and gratitude go to Shane for what he accomplished here at GW," said GW Athletics Director Tanya Vogel. "He identified to our team right from the beginning that they were on a championship mission and had rings sized years ago in preparation. This year, that became mission accomplished.
"More than that, he led a first-class program and culture with a team that truly loved one another. That was their competitive advantage. We will miss him and always remember him for bringing us the first of what's sure to be many more championships in this program's bright future."
Led by A-10 Player of the Year Jenna Cone and A-10 Pitcher of the Year Sierra Lange, GW finished the 2021 season 37-11 while setting program records for runs per game (7.0), home runs (64), team ERA (1.97) and fielding percentage (.977).
Winkler's tenure began in 2019 with another history-making campaign that saw the Buff and Blue win a program-record 44 games en route to a share of their first-ever A-10 title and an appearance in the National Invitational Softball Championship Liberty Regional.
"I'm so grateful for the opportunity that Tanya Vogel gave me three years ago, along with Chandra Bierwirth and John Square," Winkler said. "Leading the GW softball program has been a blessing. I'm so thankful for all the players that bought into a loving and winning culture.
"This program has such a bright future, and I look forward to following all of their championship success next year and beyond. I love my team."
In all, GW compiled a .679 winning percentage (91-43) under Winkler, including a .826 mark (38-8) in A-10 action. The program was tabbed preseason conference co-favorites in 2020 before that season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A national search for GW's next softball head coach will begin immediately.
