Softball coach’s journey to USD

Head coach MJ Knighten discusses highs and lows on her way to San Diego

SAVANNAH ALARCON /CONTRIBUTOR / THE USD VISTA

The University of San Diego’s MJ Knighten became the youngest head coach in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) softball at 25 when she accepted the position for the Toreros in 2020. Knighten also made USD history by becoming the first Black female head coach in any program at the university. 

Knighten can attest to many reasons why she fell in love with softball, but the main source of motivation came from her family. 

“My dad led me to play softball. He is a baseball fanatic. As soon as I was able to hold one of those big plastic bats you get when you’re a kid, I was swinging,” Knighten said. 

At a young age, Knighten knew that softball was going to be in her future. 

“At thirteen is when I knew I wanted to play in college and even professionally,” Knighten said.

Knighten found a home playing at the University of Nebraska. 

“I did not know Nebraska was on the map. I thought why not give it a shot and see what it’s about. I fell in love with it the very first time I stepped off the plane,” Knighten explained.  

However, Nebraska was an adjustment. The weather was not the only thing that changed in Nebraska — it was also their views. Moving from a more liberal state to a more conservative state did have an effect on Knighten because she was a Black female athlete. 

Knighten had to overcome many obstacles, and being in a completely different environment from the one she was raised in was a big one. 

At Nebraska, she developed mentally and physically. Knighten received an All-American honor her junior year of college. It did not happen overnight and it took a lot of hard work and dedication. 

“It happened when a pitcher threw no more than 50 miles per hour, kept striking me out and getting me out and one day I was like, this is not happening again,” Knighten said. 

Knighten remembered the moment she received the highest award one can get playing Division 1 softball. 

“When I got announced I was an All-American, I wasn’t expecting to be an All-American. I was just thinking about having fun and getting the job done for my team and enjoying the moment,” Knighten said. 

After receiving the award, she wanted to replicate it. Many outside factors affected the way Knighten played her senior year. 

“A lot of people were making reports on me, doing it again and I put a lot of pressure on myself and tried to live up to the hype of the year before,” Knighten said. 

Knighten talked about what helped her through her senior year. 

“I had to realize that I am more than just an athlete and I am more than just an All-American,” Knighten said. 

All of these experiences led her to become a coach. 

Knighten discussed her mindset after agreeing to take the head position at USD.

“When I first took this job I had so many emotions: confusion, how did I get here, excitement, happiness, scared out of my mind, wanting to throw up every single day but it was awesome and I loved it,” Knighten said. “I wanted to be pushed, I did not want it to be easy, and I’m grateful because of those tough moments.” 

There are a lot of rewards from coaching, but Knighten wanted to impact society and leave her mark.  

“I wanted to empower others and show other women that this game could give you so much,” Knighten said. “What is most important is the relationships you have with your athletes. I hope to accomplish moving the needle forward for women and of course giving them the empowerment they need to take on whatever in life.”

Knighten hoped the young women took one thing away from being in her program.

“Stick to your values and who you are as a person,” Knighten said.

Being a better person on and off the field is Knighten’s biggest goal for her athletes.