DePaul University Athletics
Adix-Zins Welcomes Amanda Buchholz to Softball Coaching Staff
8/30/2018 11:59:00 AM | SOFTBALL
After stints at Miami, Ohio State and Pitt, Amanda Buchholz is ready to become a part of the DePaul legacy.
CHICAGO – DePaul head softball coach Tracie Adix-Zins announces the addition of Amanda Buchholz to her coaching staff.
Buchholz, the former Nebraska softball standout who specializes in defense, will serve as one of the two associate head softball coaches, alongside Joe Yegge, during the 2018-19 season.
"I am very excited to have Amanda round out our staff," said head coach, Tracie Adix-Zins. "The knowledge and passion she has for the game will be an amazing asset and something our team will gravitate towards.
"Amanda's expertise for developing high-quality defensive and team strategies will continue to build on where DePaul was last season.
"Amanda is committed to the whole student-athlete development and I could not be more excited to have her as a part of the DePaul family."
Coming off of last season as an assistant coach at Pittsburgh, Buchholz was a key contributor to one of the most successful seasons in program history, with the team winning the program's first ACC Coastal Division Championship after initially being picked to finish ninth in the ACC Preseason Coaches' Poll. As the Coastal Division Champions, Pitt entered the bracket as the No. 2 seed, its highest placement in program history.
During her spectacular season with the Panthers, they culminated in a 33-18-1 overall record, marking the team's third most wins in program history. The program also went 16-6 against conference foes, which included winning seven of eight ACC series; both of which were program highs since the team joined the league in 2014.
Pitt was ranked second in the conference in team fielding (.970%) and the Panther defense was ranked third in the country in double plays/ game, with 34 double plays through 52 games for a .65%.
The success of the squad led to numerous individual awards as four players earned All-ACC honors and three received NFCA All-Region recognition.
Head coach Holly Aprile would go on to be named ACC Coach of the Year over Florida State head coach who would go on to win the Women's College World Series.
Prior to her season with Pitt, Buchholz had a five year stint as an assistant coach at Ohio State after spending three seasons in the same role at Miami University. Buchholz helped the Buckeyes to five 30-win seasons during her tenure. In 2016, she helped the Buckeyes to a .974 fielding percentage, the second best in the Big Ten. During the same season, the Buckeyes saw one player earn Big Ten All-Defensive Team in Anna Kirk.
Before arriving at Ohio State, Buchholz was an assistant coach at Miami for three seasons. The Redhawks finished with 30-plus wins in each of her years there, including a program record 31 in 2012. During the same season Miami won the MAC Championship and earned a NCAA Tournament berth. In 2010, Buchholz helped the Redhawks to a program best .975 fielding percentage.
During her time as a student-athlete at the University of Nebraska, Buchholz played shortstop for the Huskers from 2000-2003. What many don't know is that Buchholz started out as a basketball player at Nebraska before joining the softball team. However, after the transition, It wasn't long before Buchholz saw action on the diamond, starting the final 49 games of the season. She was in the starting lineup for every game the following three seasons, ending her career with 235 starts.
Buchholz was named an All-Big 12 First Team selection and was a part of the Huskers Big 12 title in 2000. She led Nebraska to the College World Series in 2002, where she was named Most Outstanding Player of the Iowa City Regional.
Following the cap of her playing career, Buchholz became a high school coach before returning to Nebraska a year later to complete her undergrad degree. She graduated from the University of Nebraska in May of 2004 with a Bachelor of Science and education degree in the middle grades education/coaching.
The Ogallala, Neb., native continued her playing career in the summer of 2004 after being drafted by the Texas Thunder of the National Pro Fastpitch League, but returned to Nebraska as a volunteer assistant coach after her long season where she remained until leaving for Miami.
"I am thrilled and excited for this opportunity to continue my coaching career at DePaul alongside Joe and Tracie," said Buchholz. "They are both highly respected in teaching their craft and know what it takes to be successful.
"It is obvious that there is a tremendous amount of support from everyone in the athletic department, which is a testament to their accomplishments in building scholars, champions and leaders not just at the BIG EAST level, but on a national stage.
"I look forward to carrying on the DePaul softball legacy and being a part of a program so rich in tradition."
Buchholz, the former Nebraska softball standout who specializes in defense, will serve as one of the two associate head softball coaches, alongside Joe Yegge, during the 2018-19 season.
"I am very excited to have Amanda round out our staff," said head coach, Tracie Adix-Zins. "The knowledge and passion she has for the game will be an amazing asset and something our team will gravitate towards.
"Amanda's expertise for developing high-quality defensive and team strategies will continue to build on where DePaul was last season.
"Amanda is committed to the whole student-athlete development and I could not be more excited to have her as a part of the DePaul family."
Coming off of last season as an assistant coach at Pittsburgh, Buchholz was a key contributor to one of the most successful seasons in program history, with the team winning the program's first ACC Coastal Division Championship after initially being picked to finish ninth in the ACC Preseason Coaches' Poll. As the Coastal Division Champions, Pitt entered the bracket as the No. 2 seed, its highest placement in program history.
During her spectacular season with the Panthers, they culminated in a 33-18-1 overall record, marking the team's third most wins in program history. The program also went 16-6 against conference foes, which included winning seven of eight ACC series; both of which were program highs since the team joined the league in 2014.
Pitt was ranked second in the conference in team fielding (.970%) and the Panther defense was ranked third in the country in double plays/ game, with 34 double plays through 52 games for a .65%.
The success of the squad led to numerous individual awards as four players earned All-ACC honors and three received NFCA All-Region recognition.
Head coach Holly Aprile would go on to be named ACC Coach of the Year over Florida State head coach who would go on to win the Women's College World Series.
Prior to her season with Pitt, Buchholz had a five year stint as an assistant coach at Ohio State after spending three seasons in the same role at Miami University. Buchholz helped the Buckeyes to five 30-win seasons during her tenure. In 2016, she helped the Buckeyes to a .974 fielding percentage, the second best in the Big Ten. During the same season, the Buckeyes saw one player earn Big Ten All-Defensive Team in Anna Kirk.
Before arriving at Ohio State, Buchholz was an assistant coach at Miami for three seasons. The Redhawks finished with 30-plus wins in each of her years there, including a program record 31 in 2012. During the same season Miami won the MAC Championship and earned a NCAA Tournament berth. In 2010, Buchholz helped the Redhawks to a program best .975 fielding percentage.
During her time as a student-athlete at the University of Nebraska, Buchholz played shortstop for the Huskers from 2000-2003. What many don't know is that Buchholz started out as a basketball player at Nebraska before joining the softball team. However, after the transition, It wasn't long before Buchholz saw action on the diamond, starting the final 49 games of the season. She was in the starting lineup for every game the following three seasons, ending her career with 235 starts.
Buchholz was named an All-Big 12 First Team selection and was a part of the Huskers Big 12 title in 2000. She led Nebraska to the College World Series in 2002, where she was named Most Outstanding Player of the Iowa City Regional.
Following the cap of her playing career, Buchholz became a high school coach before returning to Nebraska a year later to complete her undergrad degree. She graduated from the University of Nebraska in May of 2004 with a Bachelor of Science and education degree in the middle grades education/coaching.
The Ogallala, Neb., native continued her playing career in the summer of 2004 after being drafted by the Texas Thunder of the National Pro Fastpitch League, but returned to Nebraska as a volunteer assistant coach after her long season where she remained until leaving for Miami.
"I am thrilled and excited for this opportunity to continue my coaching career at DePaul alongside Joe and Tracie," said Buchholz. "They are both highly respected in teaching their craft and know what it takes to be successful.
"It is obvious that there is a tremendous amount of support from everyone in the athletic department, which is a testament to their accomplishments in building scholars, champions and leaders not just at the BIG EAST level, but on a national stage.
"I look forward to carrying on the DePaul softball legacy and being a part of a program so rich in tradition."
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