KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball head coach Karen Weekly announced on Wednesday the elevation of pitching coach Megan Rhodes Smith to associate head coach.
Rhodes Smith has spent the past six seasons as an assistant coach and in charge of the Lady Vols’ pitching staff, a role she will continue in as associate head coach.
“Megan is most deserving of this promotion,” Weekly said. “In just six seasons, she has made an incredible impact on our program and specifically our pitching staff. The honors and numbers tell the story on the field – Tennessee pitchers get better every year under Megan’s tutelage. Her contribution extends far beyond the bullpen, however, as she has been instrumental in developing our players’ mental game skills. She is passionate about developing young women into courageous leaders. Our overall success is due in large part to the way she invests in each of our student-athletes as people first.”
Since returning to Rocky Top in 2021, Rhodes Smith has transformed Tennessee’s pitching staff into one of the most dominant units in college softball. Under her leadership, the Lady Vols have ranked among the nation’s elite in every major pitching category, culminating in the No. 1 ERA in both the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The unit has also consistently ranked among the top five in hits allowed, shutouts, strikeouts per seven innings and WHIP.
Rhodes Smith’s impact extends far beyond the statistical rankings. Since her return, Tennessee pitchers have combined to throw 13 no-hitters and four perfect games. The 2023 season alone featured three no-hitters and a perfect game, while 2026 produced five no-hitters – two from Erin Nuwer and one apiece from Sage Mardjetko and Karlyn Pickens. Nuwer and Mardjetko also combined for one no-no.
“I am honored to continue to represent this program and am committed to continuing to strive for greatness each year,” Rhodes Smith said. “I am proud of the Lady Vol tradition of excellence and look forward to continue giving back to the next generation of Lady Vol softball players.”
The consistency of Tennessee’s ace pitchers has become a hallmark of Rhodes Smith’s tenure. The Lady Vols have produced a 20-game winner in four of the last six seasons, including two 20-game winners in 2024. Pickens achieved 20-win campaigns in consecutive years in 2024 and 2025, en route to back-to-back SEC Pitcher of the Year honors and 2025 Softball America National Pitcher of the Year accolades.
Her confidence in managing a full pitching staff shone through in 2026 as Mardjetko, Nuwer and Pickens all won 15-plus games.
Rhodes Smith’s ability to develop elite talent has garnered national recognition throughout her tenure. Since 2021, Tennessee pitchers have earned seven NFCA All-America honors, including six first-team selections. The Lady Vols produced multiple NFCA First Team All-Americans in the same season twice during that span, as Peyton Gottshall and Pickens earned the distinction in 2024 before Mardjetko and Pickens repeated the accomplishment in 2026. In 2023, Ashley Rogers became the first pitcher in program history to earn NFCA Pitcher of the Year honors.
