Jennifer Teague - Softball Coach - Eastern Michigan University Athletics

Jennifer Teague

Title:
Assistant Coach

Jennifer Teague is entering her third season as an assistant coach with the Eastern Michigan University softball team. She will once again focus on pitching with the Eagles.

The 2007 season was a banner year Eagles, as they won the first championship in program history and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. EMU racked up the postseason awards as shortstop Lauren Clark repeated as MAC Player of the Year, four Eagles were selected to All-MAC teams and Baird was selected the MAC Coach of the Year.

After struggling during the non-conference portion of the season, the Green and White regrouped to open conference play. EMU won 11 of its first 13 conference games, en route to capturing the West title and earning a No.2 seed for the MAC Tournament.

The Eagles rattled off four straight victories over Bowling Green, Ohio twice and Central Michigan to win the tournament and the conference’s automatic entry to the NCAA Tournament. Playing in the NCAA Regional at the University of Michigan, the Eagles fell to the Wolverines, 3-0, and then bowed out of the tournament with a loss to Oregon State.

During the 2007 season, Teague helped the Eagles to a 2.83 team ERA, including seven shutouts. The pitching staff also limited opposing batters to a .245 average.

Following the 2007 collegiate season, Teague joined the Philadelphia Force of the National Pro Fastpitch League. She took over the coaching reins mid-season when the team was 7-9. With Teague at the helm, the Force went 17-11 and missed the playoffs after coming in a three-way tie for the last spot. While on staff, Teague helped the team lower its ERA and raise its batting average.

In her first season with the Eagles, Teague helped the pitching staff lower its ERA to 2.59 and record six shutouts. The Green and White rode its outstanding pitching to its sixth MAC Tournament appearance, advancing to the semifinals.

Prior to joining the Eagles, Teague was a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Michigan during the Wolverine’s national championship season. The Maize and Blue were the first team east of the Mississippi River to win a Women’s College World Series national championship. Teague was part of a staff that garnered 2005 National Softball Coaching Staff of the Year honors.

A 1999 graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University, Teague arrived in Ann Arbor following a four-year head coaching stint with local NAIA school Concordia University from 2001-2004. Teague’s run at Concordia was highlighted by one regional championship and the school’s first-ever appearance in the NAIA National Championship in 2002. The Cardinals closed out the 2002 season ranked 14th out of 268 NAIA schools across the country. She also coached one NAIA All-American and four all-conference players during her tenure with Concordia.

A member of the NFCA, she started her coaching career as an assistant at her alma mater, Indiana Wesleyan, from 1999-2001 following a distinguished playing career, serving as co-captain of the 1998 and ’99 teams. Teague earned NCCAA All-American honorable mention recognition as a senior (1999) after earning NFCA, NAIA and NCCAA all-region honors as a junior in 1998. She was also her team’s Most Valuable Offensive Player in 1998.