GREENCASTLE, IN - Gabby Smart, DePauw associate head softball coach since 2023, has been promoted to head coach.
"I am thrilled that Gabby accepted our offer to become the head coach for DePauw softball," said Stevie Baker-Watson, DePauw's Associate Vice President for Student Wellness, and Theodore Katula Director of Athletics and Recreational Sports.
"She loves DePauw softball, and the individual student-athletes on this team, and I can't think of a better person to continue the strong traditions established by the coaches before her. Gabby has made her mark as a student-athlete and assistant coach, I am looking forward to seeing her make her mark as our head coach."
Smart, a 2017 DePauw graduate, joined the DePauw staff as an assistant coach shortly after her graduation and was named associate head coach in July of 2023.
The 2024 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year Award recipient was part of the 2023 North Coast Athletic Conference Staff of the Year after helping the Tigers to a 12-2 regular season record.
During her time on staff, the Tigers have posted a 215-107-1 record including 92-10 in NCAC games. The team has won five NCAC titles, six NCAC Tournament championships and appeared in the NCAA Division III postseason six times.
The 2021 squad matched the school record with 40 wins and finished 40-5 including a tie for third at the NCAA Division III Finals and Smart was part of the staff that was named NFCA Central Region Staff of the Year. Including her time as a student-athlete, she has been part of teams which have won NCAC regular season or tournament championships 11 straight years.
A kinesiology major at DePauw, Smart obtained her strength and conditioning certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association in 2018. As a student-athlete for the Tigers, she earned all-NCAC first team honors in 2017, honorable mention in 2014 and was the NCAC Tournament MVP in 2017. She still ranks among DePauw's all-time leaders in several statistical categories.
The Tigers finished the 2025 season with a 25-15 record including the program's 15th appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship.