LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University softball head coach Jessica O'Donnell has announced that she has stepped down to pursue another coaching opportunity.  
 
"Through her extraordinary efforts, Coach O'Donnell elevated Saint Francis University softball into one of the premier programs in all of Division I," said Director of Athletics James Downer. "She brought our department national recognition, numerous accolades and an impressive string of conference championships which only further cemented our standing as a softball powerhouse. We wish Jess the best of success moving forward and cannot thank her enough for her countless contributions and above all her leadership as she takes on a new opportunity."
 
O'Donnell served as the Red Flash coach for five seasons (2019-23), leading the team to a 137-101 overall record and a 67-18 record in Northeast Conference play at Saint Francis. O'Donnell guided the Loretto program in the NEC Tournament title and NCAA berths in 2019, 2021 and 2022 along with regular season titles in her last three seasons at the helm. She coached one NEC Player of the Year (Mackenzie Saban, 2021), two NEC Pitchers of the Year (Grace Vesco, 2021 and Rachel Marsden, 2022). and 23 all-conference selections (16 first team, seven second team). In addition, Saban was named a Softball America All-American third team in 2021. The team also excelled in the classroom with Saban being named the 2022 NEC Student-Athlete of the Year and NEC Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2021 and 2022 while Marsden made it three in a row with her NEC Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor in 2023. 

"The softball program stands on a solid foundation, one that resonates with tradition and success," said Downer. "We look forward to the opportunity of identifying Coach O'Donnell's successor."  
 
A national search for the 13th head coach in softball program history will begin immediately.