Nebraska Reinstates Head Coach Rhonda Revelle After Review

After being placed on administrative leave nearly two months ago, Nebraska head coach Rhonda Revelle resumed her coaching duties with the Huskers’ softball program on Sunday.

Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos released a statement on Sunday night following the completion of a review of Revelle and her program.

“Our student-athletes’ well-being will always be the top priority at the University of Nebraska,” Moos said in a press release. “Members of our softball team brought forward concerns regarding Coach Revelle and we took their concerns very seriously and initiated a comprehensive review.

“After reviewing the findings, I have concluded that Coach Revelle will continue to lead our softball program. Coach Revelle and her staff understand the seriousness of the student-athlete concerns and are committed to providing a complete and positive student-athlete experience on the field, in the classroom and in life.”

Softball America learned that some concerns were raised during exit interviews after the Huskers finished the 2019 season with a 21-31 overall record, a 9-14 conference mark and a first-round loss to Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament.

Many of Revelle's colleagues and former players vocalized their support of her throughout the process and rejoiced upon learning the news about her reinstatement.

National Fastpitch Coaches Association Executive Director Carol Bruggeman released a statement on Monday via Twitter that thanked Nebraska for making the "important and courageous decision to reinstate the winningest coach in Nebraska athletics."

"The current climate of scrutiny in college athletics, particularly for coaches of women's sports, is escalating at an alarming rate," Bruggeman continued. "We must work together with student-athletes, parents, coaches, and administrators to define and discuss the student-athlete experience and the role of coaches in leading that experience. By playing sports, we learn the most valuable of life lessons and skills; how to work hard, how to be a part of something greater than yourself, how to deal with adversity. I admire Nebraska for setting the standard here, committing to working through challenges in a program, and supporting its softball coach."

Revelle has the most wins of any coach at Nebraska with a career record of 989-568. Last season was the second time in her Nebraska tenure that the Huskers lost more than 30 games. The last time that happened was in 1994 (21-33), which was her second season with the program. The next season, she led her squad to the NCAA Tournament with a 43-20 record.

Nebraska has failed to reach the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three seasons and has posted sub-.500 records in two of them.

Now that she has resumed her coaching duties, Revelle will look to lead Nebraska back to the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2013.

“I also want both to recognize and thank the University of Nebraska leadership for their steadfast commitment to and unwavering support of this softball program,” Revelle said in a statement. “I love this state. I love this university. I love this team. I am so ready for and I am looking forward to Nebraska softball growing strong and better together during the 2019-2020 season.”

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