Oliva Scarbrough was named Shenandoah University's head softball coach on July 31, 2025. 

Scarbrough comes to SU following a highly successful tenure at Bethany College (W.Va.), where she orchestrated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in NCAA Division III softball over the past two seasons. In her first year, she led the Bison to a 17-win improvement—ranking third in Division III for most improved teams—and followed that performance with back-to-back 25+ win seasons, including the program's best start in history at 15-0.

Under her guidance, Bethany set and then broke its single-season stolen base record, improved its team GPA from 3.32 to 3.65, and produced 11 All-Conference honorees and 28 NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes. The Bison also qualified for the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) postseason tournament in both years of her tenure.

"I am truly honored and excited for the opportunity to be named the next head softball coach at Shenandoah University," Scarbrough said. "The vision and mission of SU align closely with my commitment to building a team culture that will provide our student-athletes with a rewarding and meaningful Hornet softball experience. This program has a solid foundation, and I look forward to leading this incredible group of young women as we pursue growth, excellence, and success together."

Scarbrough also brings assistant coaching experience from Grove City College and Houghton University, where she helped both programs set single-season wins records. In addition to her on-field work, she held administrative roles in athletic departments, oversaw social media and recruitment efforts, and served as a mentor for leadership and inclusion initiatives.

Dr. Foxx expressed strong confidence in Scarbrough's fit and future at SU:

"Olivia's track record of elevating programs, both on the field and in the classroom, made her stand out in a very competitive search. Her commitment to academic excellence, her passion for player development, and her ability to build winning cultures align perfectly with our vision for Hornet softball. We're excited to welcome her to the Shenandoah family."