Wright Resigns from Post at ISU to Take Head Coaching Job at Maryland

POCATELLO, Idaho- Idaho State softball coach Julie Wright has stepped down from her current position at ISU to take the head softball coaching job at the University of Maryland. In five years as the head coach at Idaho State, Wright tallied a 126-129 record and a 59-36 conference mark. In the last three years ISU had a 98-61 overall record and a 43-12 Big Sky conference mark.

"We appreciate what coach Wright did for our softball program," Idaho State Director of Athletics Jeff Tingey said. "Her program not only had success on the field but they excelled in the classroom and in the community. We wish her the best of luck at Maryland."

A search is currently underway for Wright's replacement.

The Bengal softball program has won three-straight Big Sky Conference regular season championships. During Wright's tenure in Pocatello, ISU has boasted 36 all-conference players, 23 players who have earned academic all-conference, three Big Sky Conference Player of the Year winners, one Pacific Coast Softball Conference Mountain Division Player of the Year, seven NFCA All-Region honors and one academic All-American.

Below is a note from coach Wright to the Pocatello community.
To the Greatest Fans in the Big Sky Conference:
It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to Idaho State.  I want to thank Jeff Tingey for giving me this opportunity and Dr. James Yizar for all of his mentoring and support of me and the softball program.  I would also like to thank the support staff both in the Athletics department and within the University for all of the work they put into the softball program.

The community around Idaho State has been nothing short of amazing with their support for my teams out at Miller Ranch.  I hope every fan and supporter out there realizes how vital they were to our successes over the last few years.  It was your cheers, your excitement, and your faith in us that really made the difference.  From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

It has been a pleasure to be a part of a very special group of strong, confident women who believe in themselves and each other.  I have never had more fun coaching then I had in my time with these amazing student-athletes.  I hope I gave them as much as they gave me.

I will forever hold Idaho State close to my heart and will always be a Bengal Fan.
 
Julie Wright