Newman University announced the resignation of head softball coach Mike Viramontez, who will join the Oklahoma State softball staff.
“I would like to say how grateful I am for all of the support I have had in my short time here at Newman,” Viramontez said. “To the young women who devoted their time and effort to our process, to the athletic administration that guided me along the way, to my colleagues who made this workplace feel like home, I will miss being part of the NU family. Coming to work every day for the past several years has been a breath of fresh air simply because of who I got to worth with. I would also like to express my appreciation to the faculty at Newman as they are vital to our process in helping our athletes through the process of being student-athletes.”
In his one season as the head softball coach, Viramontez led the Jets to their most wins since going NCAA Division II. NU made the Heartland Conference Tournament for the first time since 2011. The Jets finished the regular season winning four of five games, including a series win over Oklahoma Christian. A walk-off home run lifted NU to a win over No. 20 Emporia State – the Jets’ first all-time win over the Hornets. The Jets also got wins over in-state rivals Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State. Junior shortstop Courtney Sartin was named All-Heartland Conference during the season.
“I take a lot of pride in the efforts and demeanor of our players in my time here at Newman,” Viramontez said. “I am extremely confident that this program is headed in the right direction. To all of the Jet family: my wife, Lindsy, and I would like to say thanks to all for our wonderful time here.”
Before his stint as the NU head coach, Viramontez served as the assistant coach for one season. He worked primarily with the outfielders and coached two All-Heartland Conference selections and one Daktronics South Central Region selection. The Jets won 16 games, including two victories over No. 10 Southeastern Oklahoma State.
“Losing Mike is a huge deal, but he has a great opportunity he can’t pass up,” Newman Athletic Director Vic Trilli said. “In this business sometimes things move, and for Mike his career is moving fast. He has moved the program in a short amount of time and taken it farther than anyone else in such a short time.”
Prior to NU, Viramontez served one season as an assistant coach at Southern Arkansas University. Viramontez helped SAU to a fifth place finish in the Great American Conference and four Lady Muleriders were selected All-GAC.
Viramontez has five years of coaching experience in baseball at the high school level. He helped Bishop Carroll High School to the 2012 5A state championship with a 23-5 record.
Newman Athletic Director Vic Trilli announced a national search for the next head softball coach will begin immediately.
“We are going to move as quickly as we can to find a quality replacement,” Trilli said. “Someone with a proven background in softball who can keep the program going in the right direction.”
