Clarksville, Ark.-Six-time Conference Coach of the Year Roland Rodriguez was named the new head softball coach at the University of the Ozarks, it was announced by Athletic Director Jimmy Clark Friday.
    
Rodriguez's success spans 14 years at two different institutions, culminating in more than 300 wins as a head coach, qualifying for four NCAA Division III Tournaments and winning five conference championships. He guided both Trinity University (Texas) and Millsaps College to conference titles and remains the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference's (SCAC) all-time wins leader, including an impressive 128-50 (.719) mark in league play.

Rodriguez has spent the past eight seasons at Millsaps, where he led the Majors to four consecutive winning seasons and a 2013 Southern Athletic Association title. He was a two-time Conference Coach of the Year there. Twice, his teams finished as runner-up in the league. During his tenure at Millsaps, Rodriguez's players earned numerous individual accolades. He coached 58 All-Conference players, 57 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Scholar Athletes, 11 NFCA All-Region performers, two All-Americans and two Academic All-Americans.

At Trinity, Rodriguez's 2005 team finished the season ranked No. 18 in NCAA Division III. In six seasons under Rodriguez, the Tigers won four conference titles and advanced to four NCAA Division III Regional Tournaments. He was also a four-time SCAC Coach of the Year and posted a 156-97 overall record. He had seven Conference Players of the Year, 39 All-Conference players, six NFCA All-Region performers and 19 NFCA Scholar Athletes.

"We are excited to hire Roland Rodriguez as our new head softball coach," said Clark. "Roland is a veteran coach who understands the academic environment at Ozarks and knows what it takes to be successful at the NCAA Division III level. He is highly thought of within the softball community. He understands the competition in the ASC and looks forward to coaching in it. His accomplishments as a coach are impressive. He brought championships to both institutions he was at. That type of success enhances the program and the entire athletic department."      

Rodriguez has served as a camp instructor at University of Oklahoma, Louisiana State University and Florida State University. He has also been an instructor for College Sports Camps. He owns a 329-267 career record.

"I'm excited to be here," said Rodriguez. "I'm looking forward to the environment at Ozarks. The university has exactly what student-athletes are looking for, and there are people on campus ready to help them advance as a student. I want to market all the positives that are here. Softball is just part of the educational experience. The institution comes first. I think this will be a good experience as we work together."

Rodriguez admires the NCAA Division III philosophy, and the role it plays in the development of a student-athlete.

"At the NCAA Division III level, we don't lose sight of what's most important," he said. "I appreciate what NCAA Division III student-athletes do and their commitment level. They want to be successful in the classroom and are self-motivated students. And the NCAA Division III environment provides preparation for their future careers."

The veteran coach also looks forward to coaching in one of the premier softball conferences in NCAA Division III.       

"The ASC is one of the top NCAA Division III softball conferences in the country," he said. "This helps our school's reputation and how recruits look at our program. The strong competition raises the level of play of each team. Winning won't just happen on game day, I want my players to prepare for success in the fall. Hopefully, that type of mindset becomes contagious in the program. I want to hold myself accountable and hold the players accountable. The program can't cut corners."