Abby Adams enters her first season as a full-time assistant coach on the Samford softball staff.
In her new position, Adams will be in charge of the defense, and assist with instructing the team’s hitters.
“I am very excited to move Abby Adams from volunteer assistant into the full-time assistant role,” Burford said. “She has a true love for the game and a passion for teaching. She hates to lose more than she loves to win and I am thrilled to have her take over as our defensive coach. She was one of the best defensive players to put on a Samford jersey and was part of the coaching staff that won the regular season and SoCon Tournament title back in 2016. She is a person who has shown the ability to transfer her success as a player to teaching as a coach.”
Adams served as a volunteer assistant coach at Samford during the 2017 season. During the season, she managed the infield and assisted with hitting instruction. In addition to her coaching duties, she also assisted with all aspects of team travel. During the 2016 Southern Conference Championship season, Adams worked as a student assistant coach.
“I would like to thank Coach Burford, Mr. (Martin) Newton and Samford University for the opportunity to coach at my alma mater,” Adams said. “Coach Mandy played a huge part in making me a competitive college athlete and helped shape me into the person that I am today and I am excited to continue to learn from her as a coach.”
Adams played at Samford from 2012 to 2015. She was named second team All-SoCon as both a junior and senior. In 2014, she led the team in RBI (37), home runs (14) and doubles (9).
“I look forward to investing in the program that has given me so much and to joining a coaching staff that strives for excellence and competitiveness,” Adams said. “I will work hard to keeping Samford softball at the top of the SoCon year in and year out and will do my very best to help win another championship.”
Adams holds school single-season records for home runs (14) and runs scored (47). For her career, she ranks third in home runs (25) and fourth in games played (219).
