Letts play some ball
Candi Letts was named the new USU softball head coach this summer after former head coach Lonny Sargent resigned after two seasons of coaching.
Letts is no newcomer to the WAC, as she led the Colorado State Rams to a WAC championship in 1997 and was named WAC Coach of the Year. The same year she was also named the NCAA West Regional Coach of the Year.
After last season’s 8-38 record, head coach Sargent resigned. A national search ensued, in which Letts was selected.
“We’re excited for her to lead the Utah State program,” said Senior Associate Athletics Director Ken Peterson, who conducted the national search. “For us to attract the quality of a coach in Candi, with her experience and success that she has at the Division-I level, speaks highly of her and the caliber of a coach that she is.”
Letts started her coaching career in 1988 at Creighton University, the same school she played at as a pitcher for four years. She served as an assistant coach for six years, working with the pitchers. Under her leadership, she groomed one All-American.
After Creighton, Letts took over the head coaching position at Colorado State University from 1994 to 1998. She had to resurrect a softball program that did not even play the previous year.
“I think the program is what you make of it,” Letts said. “Everybody can find their own niche and make something big out of it.”
While at CSU, Letts found her niche, improving the softball program and finishing with an overall coaching record of 160-106-1 (.602).
“Candi Letts has had success as both a player and a coach,” USU Athletic Director Randy Spetman said. “She has a tremendous reputation for being able to turn programs around as she did at Colorado State and Mississippi. We are eager for her to take over our softball program.”
Letts’ ability to improve programs will be essential to turning around last year’s performance in the WAC. The team finished the season with only eight wins and took seventh place in the WAC.
“I feel pretty good,” Letts said about her new position. “I think it’s a program that can have success. In order to build success you need to build a foundation. All those things are here.”
“Our biggest challenge is to be one of the best teams in the WAC,” Letts said. “I know the kind of conference this is and our job is to become one of the best teams in the WAC.”
Letts selected Arleen McKnight as assistant coach in early August. McKnight played competitive softball and won four national tournaments until she was forced to retire due to a knee injury. She also coached with Letts at the University of Mississippi from 1999 to 2001.
“I’m excited to have Arleen back in coaching and joining my staff here at Utah State,” Letts said. “She’s a multi-tasker. She understands my coaching style and the athletes