Michigan softball: Carol Hutchins becomes winningest of all time

Friday afternoon, No. 19 Michigan softball took on both Northern Kentucky and No. 13 Duke as a part of the Duke Invitational. After battling through both games, Michigan emerged victorious twice, earning head coach Carol Hutchins her 1,675th and 1,676th wins. The wins make Hutchins the NCAA’s winningest softball coach of all time in her 38th season at the helm.

At the end of last season, former Arizona coach Mike Candrea retired with a career record of 1,674-436-2 in 40 seasons at Arizona. After Friday’s wins, Carol Hutchins has officially surpassed Candrea in the win column.

Following the Wolverines’ win over Northern Kentucky, Michigan softball then defeated No. 13 Duke to earn Hutchins her 1,676th win, two more wins than Candrea’s former record.

Hutchins has been the head coach of Michigan softball for 38 seasons now and has led the Wolverines to many program-defining accomplishments. These accomplishments include 22 Big Ten titles, 12 Women’s College World Series appearances, and a national title which she won in 2005. Hutchins holds a career record of 1,676-537-5. Yet even with all of these enormous accomplishments, Carol Hutchins says she does not want to be compared to Mike Candrea.

"“First of all, you can’t compare me to coach Candrea,” Hutchins said. “He is the GOAT, He is the greatest there is. What Mike Candrea has done for the game of softball, he’s on a level all by himself. I will look up to him forever.”"

Michigan softball currently sits at 8-5 and ranks within the top-20 in the nation in the early stages of 2022. Saturday afternoon, the Wolverines took on Northern Kentucky and Duke to close out the Duke Invitational. Michigan finished the tournament with a 3-1 record and now must play six more road games before starting their home schedule against Kent State on Saturday, March 12th.

In Hutchins’ 38th season, she looks to add a 23rd Big Ten title to her resume, as well as pad her lead as the nation’s winningest softball coach of all time. Michigan will be back in action on Monday on the road against Elon.