KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee associate head coach and pitching coach Megan Rhodes Smith has been named one of 25 finalists for 2026 D1Softball National Assistant Coach of the Year, the outlet announced Wednesday.
Rhodes Smith is one of 10 Southeastern Conference assistants among the 25 finalists for the national honor.
Since returning to Rocky Top in 2021, Rhodes Smith has established Tennessee’s pitching staff as one of the most dominant units in the nation. Under her guidance, the Lady Vols have consistently ranked among the nation’s best in virtually every major pitching category, including leading the country in ERA in both 2025 and 2026.
Tennessee has also consistently ranked among the nation’s top five in hits allowed, shutouts, strikeouts per seven innings and WHIP during Rhodes Smith’s tenure.
Her impact, however, extends well beyond the statistical rankings.
Since 2021, Tennessee pitchers have combined to throw 13 no-hitters and four perfect games. The 2023 campaign featured three no-hitters and a perfect game, while the 2026 season saw the Lady Vols record five no-hitters. Erin Nuwer tossed two of those no-hitters, while Sage Mardjetko and Karlyn Pickens each recorded one. Nuwer and Mardjetko also combined to throw a no-hitter.
The continued success of Tennessee’s top arms has become a defining characteristic of Rhodes Smith’s tenure. The Lady Vols have produced a 20-game winner in four of the last six seasons, including a pair of 20-game winners in 2024.
Pickens became the latest Tennessee ace to reach the 20-win plateau in consecutive seasons, accomplishing the feat in 2024 and 2025. Her back-to-back 20-win campaigns helped propel her to consecutive SEC Pitcher of the Year honors, as well as 2025 Softball America National Pitcher of the Year recognition.
Rhodes Smith’s ability to manage and develop a deep pitching staff was again on display in 2026, when Mardjetko, Nuwer and Pickens each recorded at least 15 victories.
Under Rhodes Smith’s tutelage, Tennessee pitchers have also garnered significant national recognition. Since 2021, Lady Vol pitchers have collected seven NFCA All-America honors, including six first-team selections.
Tennessee has produced multiple NFCA First Team All-Americans in the same season twice during that span. Peyton Gottshall and Pickens earned first-team honors in 2024, while Mardjetko and Pickens repeated the feat in 2026.
In 2023, Ashley Rogers became the first pitcher in Tennessee program history to earn NFCA Pitcher of the Year honors, further highlighting the sustained excellence of the Lady Vols’ pitching staff under Rhodes Smith.
