Softball | 5/23/2022 12:00:00 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist University Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Eavenson announced on Monday that Head Softball Coach Ron Simpson is retiring after leading the Monarchs for 24 seasons. Eavenson announced that Alexis Allaman will be promoted from Assistant Coach to the head position, effective June 1.
 
"Alex Allaman is a great choice to be the next head coach for Methodist University" Simpson said. "She knows the game of softball, inside and out. Having been a very strong player and assistant coach at both Division II & III levels, she has been well schooled and is prepared to be a head coach. She will continue the strong tradition and competitive play that Methodist Softball is known for!"
 
Prior to representing the green and gold, Simpson wore the colors of red, white and blue as he served in the United States Air Force for 26 years. During that time, he coached the All-Air Force softball team (1988-96), as well as the All-Armed Forces softball team (1990-92 & 1994).
 
Before coming to MU, Simpson was the head softball coach at St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, N.C., for two seasons. In one of those years, he was named the conference's coach of the year after leading his team to a second-place finish.
 
Simpson found immediate success in his first season at Methodist, as the team went 31-10 including a perfect 10-0 mark in league play. This landed the Monarchs their first regular-season conference title since 1993, and the team made their first NCAA regional tournament appearance.
 
That season would propelled Simpson to a long and fruitful career as he walks away with the most victories in program history (538). During his reign, he coached seven 30-plus-win seasons and had 14 seasons with 20-plus wins. The four-time coach of the year won five regular season championships, four conference tournament championships and made six NCAA Division III tournament appearances.
 
He also coached five All-Americans, 94 All-Conference players, five conference Player of the Year winners, four conference Rookie of the Year & Rookie Pitcher of the Year players and two conference Pitcher of the Year winners. 
 
"I want to thank and congratulate Ron Simpson on an outstanding coaching career" Eavenson said. "Ron did an excellent job as our coach the past 24 years. He leaves as the all-time wins leader in program history but more importantly his teams competed with class on the field and at a high level in the classroom. We all wish Ron a great and enjoyable retirement and thank him for all he has done for MU Softball!"
 
Allaman, who has served as an assistant under Simpson since fall of 2018, will begin her head coaching career starting with the 2023 season. She is a 2016 graduate of Fayetteville State University with a degree in Elementary Education, concentrating in Physical Education. Allaman played three seasons for the Broncos after transferring from Greensboro College her freshman year. As a collegiate player, she played in 139 games with a career batting average of .308 and recorded 93 RBIs, 90 runs, 31 doubles, five triples and 10 home runs. She received All-CIAA First Team honors in 2016 and All-CIAA Second Team honors at the conclusion of 2015; both as a centerfielder.
 
"We are excited to welcome Alex Allaman as our next Head Softball Coach" Eavenson said. "Alex has done an outstanding job as our assistant coach and has a clear and great vision for the future of Methodist softball."
 
Allaman began her coaching career at her alum mater and was there for two seasons (2017-18). She received her Master of Education from MU in Coaching Education and Athletic Administration.
 
"This is still surreal to be given this opportunity" Allaman said. "Especially with how Coach Ron has established the program throughout 24 years. The past four years I have been lucky enough to be mentored by him, and my goal is to build even more on the solid foundation he built and developed."