Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – CR softball head coach Megan Valente announced that she is stepping away from the program after three years in charge.

By Ray Hamill — College of the Redwoods softball head coach Megan Valente is stepping down from the position after three years in charge of the team.

Valente, who took over form longtime coach Maggie White after the 2021 season, informed her players of the decision on Friday.

This season she guided the Corsairs to a record of 11-25 overall and 8-12 in the Golden Valley Conference.

“I sincerely thank Megan for all of her service to the college,” CR athletic director Bob Brown said in a statement. “Megan has done outstanding work in her three years as head coach and also as our sports information representative and five years of overall employment with the district.”

Valente, who also was an assistant coach with the team for two years before taking over as head coach, certainly had a positive impact with the program.

In 2023, she led the Corsairs to their first winning season since 2006 with a record of 21-15.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to have coached CR softball over the past three years as head coach and two years as an assistant,” she said. “It was my goal to bring excitement to CR softball and I know I have done that.”

Valente’s impact with the team was especially felt at the plate and last spring the team had the third highest batting average in the state.

This year, the team was 14th in the state with 70 stolen bases.

In addition, under Valente’s guidance the Corsairs always featured several local players, something she took pride in.

“All three years we had over half local players on the team, and always having players that were first-team all-conference and all-academic,” she said. “Over the last two years we have held many softball camps, I know bringing excitement to the local softball community.

“I hope people know there is so much opportunity at CR, but they have to get out, do it, want it, show up and put in the work.”

Valente did not give a reason for leaving, but suggested she will coach again.

“After countless memories and friendships, it’s time to let my next chapter begin, coaching softball elsewhere,” she said. “I hope they bring in a new coach that keeps growing this program and puts their heart and soul into it like I have the past three years.”

Valente also thanked her assistant coaches over the past three years, “Kyle, Lindsey, Karen, Lynette and Deb.”

“I couldn’t have done it without all of you,” she said. “I also want to thank the group of players that trusted in me to be their college softball coach. I pushed them all to be better people and softball players and they will always have a special place in my heart as Team 1, Team 2 and Team 3.”

Brown added that Valente will be missed for all the roles she filled.

“She has played a huge role in the branding and marketing of our sports through our athletic and social media outlets,” he said. “She also has committed fully to the development and improvement of the student athletes in our softball program. 

“She will be missed, but we wish her great success at the next chapter of her career.”

The Corsairs will immediately begin the search for a new coach and Brown says he hopes to have the position filled within the next month.