MJ Knighten named USD Softball head coach

Knighten, an assistant coach last season, becomes youngest active Division I softball coach

Eric Boose / Sports Editor / The USD Vista

MJ Knighten will become the University of San Diego’s next head softball coach, Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics Bill McGillis announced on Friday. Knighten, who served as the Toreros’ hitting coach during the 2019-2020 season, will be the sixth head coach in program history, and the first Black woman to serve as head coach for any USD athletic program. 

This, Knighten’s first head coaching job, will take place during only her fourth year of coaching. McGillis still expressed confidence in her, despite her relative inexperience. Knighten’s predecessor, Jessica Pistole, had been a head coach for five years before taking over the Toreros.

“I am so excited for the young women in our softball program,” McGillis said in announcing Knighten’s hiring. “MJ Knighten is a special person and talent with rare leadership qualities for a young coach. We’ve watched her grow over the last year as a member of our coaching staff, and I am very confident she is the right head coach to build a championship softball program at USD. MJ played a key role in resetting a new foundation for USD softball last year, and I want to remain on that trajectory.”

Knighten served as an assistant coach at her alma mater, the University of Nebraska, in 2017-2018. She then joined Wichita State University’s coaching staff for the 2018-2019 season before taking the job as the Toreros’ hitting coach under head coach Jessica Pistole last season. As Pistole’s hitting coach, Knighten helped San Diego to their best start to a season since 2013, with USD hitters knocking 43 doubles, good for 21st in the nation. 

Now at the helm herself, Knighten expressed her hopes to keep last season’s momentum rolling.

“I would like to thank the University of San Diego and Bill McGillis for the amazing opportunity to lead this on-the-rise program,” Knighten said. “Jessica Pistole gave us an incredible foundation to build on, and I am excited to continue to grow and shape San Diego softball. Our goal is to become a force on the West Coast, while at the same time empowering strong, beautiful women so that they can succeed after graduation. I cannot wait to get started.”

Despite her recent start in coaching, Knighten has a wealth of experience with the game. As a player, Knighten helped the University of Nebraska to a Big Ten Conference championship in 2014 and was named to the All-Big Ten team four times. Knighten also played professionally for two years in the National Pro Fastpitch league. 

Knighten’s former coaches and colleagues had nothing but praise for the Toreros’ new head coach.

“I could not be more thrilled about the direction that USD Softball is headed under Coach Knighten’s leadership,” Pistole, now the head coach at the University of Southern Oregon, said. “She is a fierce competitor who has a deep trust in the daily process of what it takes to become a champion. Most notable though, she is a bright light who speaks the truth and possesses the superpower of connecting with and bringing out the best in each of her players and coaches. Exciting days are ahead for USD Softball.”

Rhonda Revelle, head coach at the University of Nebraska during Knighten’s years as a player and an assistant coach, also had high praise for the Toreros’ new skipper.

“MJ has an incredible softball IQ, that along with her passion and love for the game, will be motivating and inspiring for her players,” Revelle said. “With MJ at the helm, she will build a great team and culture, and the program will be highly competitive and accomplished on the field, in the classroom and also in the community. This is a great day to be a Torero.”