Sharonda McDonald was hired as the University of Florida’s softball team’s assistant coach on August 14, 2015 and is in her second season with the Gators.
Last season McDonald oversaw the development of the Florida outfield which included freshman outfielder Amanda Lorenz who earned a spot on the NFCA All-American team and was named NFCA Freshman of the year along with SEC Freshman of the Year.
The Houston, Texas, native has made four coaching stops prior to her arrival in Gainesville that include Texas Tech (2015; associate head coach), LSU (2013-14; volunteer assistant), Ohio (2010-12; assistant coach) and Texas Southern (2008; assistant coach).
McDonald joins a Gators squad that went 60-7 in 2015, taking the Southeastern Conference title as well as their second-straight NCAA crown. UF reached the 60-win plateau for just the third time in school history and posted its third-highest win percentage (.895).
In 2015, the Gators ranked first nationally in winning percentage, tied for first in wins, first in fielding percentage (.981), fourth in ERA (1.63), 11th in on-base percentage (.438), 22nd in scoring (6.55 runs per game), 29th in slugging percentage (.514) and 32nd in home runs per game (1.19). Defensively, Florida’s .981 fielding percentage was the best mark in school history, eclipsing the .979 mark set in 2013. The Gators committed just 33 errors in 67 games, seven fewer than any previous UF squad.
Walton and McDonald are excited to work together and continue the excellent tradition that is Florida softball.
What They Said
“Sharonda McDonald is one of the brightest young minds in our game, and this is a great opportunity to have her join our staff and work with our program. Sharonda will come in and make an immediate impact working with our outfielders, slappers, base runners and our short game. Anything that has to do with speed Sharonda will coach and help us get better. With the recent success she had at Texas A&M and professionally in the NPF, she will relate to our players in a different way and will be crucial in helping us continue the Florida softball tradition.” – Florida Head Coach Tim Walton
"I’m extremely excited for this incredible opportunity to join Tim Walton and the University of Florida softball program. I look forward to working with Coach Walton and contributing to the continued success of our student-athletes on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Coach Walton is a true leader and an outstanding coach and I look forward to being part of the University of Florida community.” – Florida Assistant Coach Sharonda McDonald
Coaching Resume
Texas Tech (2015):
Coached the Texas Tech outfielders and lefty slappers while also serving as first base coach.
Helped Tech finish the season with wins in a school record four-straight Big 12 series and nine of the final 12 games overall.
Coached Kristi Belshe to All-Big 12 second team honors.
LSU (2013-14):
Coached the LSU outfielders and left-handed slappers and helped oversee the Tigers camp operation.
Helped lead the nationally-ranked Tigers to a pair of NCAA Regional appearances during her tenure.
Ohio (2010-12):
Assisted the Bobcats to the 2011 Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division title and an appearance in the 2011 MAC Championship Game.
The Bobcats belted a combined 82 home runs during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, the top two single season marks in program history. Lauren Gellerman, a 2012 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Mideast Second-Team and All-MAC First-Team selection, along with Raven King shared a program single season record with 13 dingers apiece.
Ohio had six different players’ secure All-MAC accolades. Jillian Van Wagnen turned in a team-leading .362 batting average, 64 hits and 30 stolen bases during the 2012 campaign as an All-MAC Second-Team pick. She finished her career with 69 total steals, second-most in program history.
Texas Southern (2009):
Began her coaching career in her native city of Houston, Texas, as an assistant coach for Texas Southern in 2009.
Under her supervision, the Tigers more than double their stolen base output from the season before sparked by Latrece Shello's 17 steals.
Playing Career
McDonald concluded her professional career after seven seasons, six of which were played in the NPF League. She spent the 2014 season with the USSSA Pride after playing the 2010-12 campaigns with the Akron Racers and the 2007-08 seasons with the Philadelphia Force. She spent the 2009 season playing with the Fiorini Softball Club of the Italian Professional League.
A three-time All-NPF selection during her career, McDonald garnered the prestigious Diamond Spikes Award in 2012 after hitting .303 with 13 stolen bases while with the Racers. She ended the 2014 season with a career average over .270 to go along with over 100 runs scored during her professional career. The Pride closed the year with a two-game series sweep over Akron to win its second-straight NPF Cowles Cup.
Her success professionally followed a stellar career at Texas A&M where she shared the field with Gregory during her freshmen and sophomore seasons (2004-05). One of the top hitters in A&M history, McDonald compiled a .338 batting average throughout her four seasons from 2004-07, the seventh-highest clip in program history.
McDonald is the Texas A&M all-time leader for both runs scored (195) and stolen bases (153) and owns the top two single-season marks in both categories as well. She led the nation with 48 stolen bases during the 2005 season alone on her way to garnering the Golden Shoe Award that is presented annually to the nation's top baserunner.
McDonald, who also ranks second all-time at A&M for hits (249) and sixth for at-bats (737), is among the select few players to earn All-Big 12 honors all four years of her career. She was also a three-time NFCA All-Region recipient.
In addition, McDonald is still tied atop the NCAA record books with 73 consecutive stolen bases (4/21/04-3/4/06).
Texas A&M advanced to the postseason all four of McDonald's seasons, highlighted by a trip to the Women's College World Series as a senior in 2007. The Aggies claimed the program's first Big 12 title in 2005 en route to finishing 47-10 overall with the opportunity to host the NCAA College Station Super Regional.
Background
McDonald spent a year with A&M's strength and conditioning staff after exhausting her eligibility. She received her bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M in 2008.
THE McDONALD FILE
1st Season
Experience
- 2016-present - University of Florida, Assistant Coach
- 2015 – Texas Tech University, Associate Head Coach
- 2013-14 - LSU, Volunteer Assistant Coach
- 2010-12 – Ohio University, Assistant Coach
- 2009 – Texas Southern University, Assistant Coach
Playing Experience
- 2014 – USSA Pride, NPF League
- 2010-12 – Akron Racers, NPF League
- 2009 – Fiorini Softball Club, Italian Professional League
- 2007-08 – Philadelphia Force, NPF League
- 2004-07 – Texas A&M University, four-year letterwinner
EDUCATION
- Texas A&M University, Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology, 2008
