Arkansas
Arkansas softball assistant coach resigns
FAYETTEVILLE — Yolanda McRae, who recently completed her eighth season as an assistant softball coach for Arkansas, has resigned from her position.
Her letter of resignation, which was submitted June 20, was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. The resignation was requested to be effective July 14.
McRae was part of head coach Courtney Deifel’s staff since she arrived at Arkansas in 2016. She was also part of Deifel’s staff in 2015 at Maryland.
While with the Razorbacks, McRae was part of a staff that went from one just conference victory in her first season to one of the league’s top contenders. Arkansas won SEC regular-season titles in 2021 and 2022, and the SEC Tournament with McRae on staff.
In her resignation letter, McRae wrote she wishes “nothing but great things” for Deifel and the Razorbacks and said she will take time to determine her next move.
She primarily worked with Arkansas’ hitters. The Razorbacks batted a program single-season best .331 in 2022. The batting average dropped 54 points in 2023 after the team had to replace a veteran roster.
The 2022 season was record-setting year for the Razorbacks, who posted highs in batting average, hits (506), runs scored (422), home runs (109), RBI (388), slugging percentage (.602) and on-base percentage (.429).
Arkansas batted .277 in 2023 with 423 hits, 341 runs and 69 home runs. The team’s slugging percentage (.473) and on-base percentage (.375) each dropped from the record-setting year prior.
McRae was an outfielder at Georgia from 2003-06. She has coached at the Power 5 level her entire time as an assistant coach, which began in 2007 at Georgia Tech.
Arkansas has reportedly hired Utah associate head coach DJ Gasso to be its next hitting coach. The Razorbacks are also expected to take advantage of the opportunity to hire a third assistant coach after a new NCAA rule takes effect in July.