The coaching staff for Utah’s softball team just got deeper, as the Utes added longtime volunteer Cody Thomson as a full-time assistant coach. Thomson has been working with the Utes since 2004 and has been working with all four members of the pitching staff since they arrived at the U.
Head coach Amy Hogue said she’s seen the impact Thomson’s coaching has on the team, and she knew the position would be his when it opened up.
“To have Cody there all the time is a big thing for us,” Hogue said. “The amount of hours (he will be putting in) is what we need to turn the corner as a program.”
Thomson has been a part of several different programs as a coach and brings a great deal of experience to the Utes’ coaching staff. His coaching career began in 1996 at Copper Hills High School and continued on to Southern Utah University and several clinics and camps in Utah and Idaho.
In addition to his coaching experience, Thomson is also bringing years of playing experience to the program. He pitched for the USA Softball Men’s National Team from 2004 to 2008. In 2008, the team finished second at the International Softball Federation Men’s World Cup in Prague. In 2006, he was an Amateur Athletic Union Gold Medalist and was named Best Pitcher at the North American Fastpitch Association World Series.Thomson’s accolades as a player also include being named an All-American four times by the Amateur Softball Association, a silver medal from the 2007 International Softball Federation Men’s World Cup and helping the Salt Lake Miners place second and first in 2001 and 2002, respectively, at the ASA Men’s 23-Under National Championships.
Thomson said he stayed on as a volunteer for so long because of the love he has for the game.
Despite being asked previously to come on full-time with the Utes, Thompson decided then to turn down the position because he was already trying to balance owning his own company and spending time at home with his family.
Thomson said the opportunity to coach full-time for the Utes came at exactly the right moment and that he’s looking forward to the new season and hopes to help each pitcher develop her game a little more.
“A big part of a rebuilding stage is getting our pitchers to perform better,” Thomson said. “If pitchers don’t perform, it’s a lot harder to win.”
Hogue said Thomson has a big challenge ahead of him but believes he’s up for it.
“Cody has been (the pitchers’) coach since they walked in the door,” Hogue said. “He’s just right. It’s a good fit.”
Returning pitchers for the 2010 season are sophomore Joni Cook, senior Lindsey Palmer, junior Brittany Parker and senior Ashley Smuda. In addition to coaching the pitchers on the team full-time, Thomson will also continue to be involved in the recruiting process.
“A big part of the job is to take the pitchers (we have) now and make them great, and recruit new pitchers that are great,” Thomson said.
He said he’s happy with the coaching and recruiting combination and, like Hogue, hopes to make significant strides this season.
Tyler CobbJoni Cook and the other pitchers on the Utah softball team will be putting in more time working with new assistant coach Cody Thomson. Thomson has been a longtime volunteer with the team but will now be working with the pitchers full-time.
Cody Thomson