Last week, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced its recipients of the 2015 Assistant Coach of the Year Awards at the various levels.

Here are the honorees with bios on each:

•    Jennifer Rocha (DI / Florida)
•    Maddie Holub (DII / Saint Leo)
•    Phil Hansen (DIII / Alma)
•    Gene Reardon (NAIA / Central Methodist)
•    Tara Bendt (NJCAA I / Salt Lake CC)

According to the NFCA, “These awards salute the efforts of coaches from the various NFCA membership categories for their tireless dedication to the sport of softball and to the continued education, growth and development of young women, both on and off the playing field. All five of this year’s class of recipients played a pivotal role in their team’s success during the 2014-15 softball season.”

NCAA Division I: Jennifer Rocha, Florida
Rocha, who is entering her ninth year with the Gators, played a pivotal role in the program’s second straight national championship with an overall record of 60-7 and a fifth Southeastern Conference regular season title. Under her guidance, the UF pitching staff, which included USA Softball Player of the Year Lauren Haeger, shined as it led the SEC in ERA (1.63) for the third consecutive year and fourth overall in the nation. During her tenure, Florida’s staff has led Division I in ERA twice in eight seasons. Rocha’s impact is felt by every member of the Gators’ softball program. She loves to see athletes succeed on the field, but more importantly grow into exceptional people and not just exceptional athletes.

NCAA Division II: Maddie Holub, Saint Leo
Assisting in all aspects of the program, Holub, in her first season, served as Saint Leo’s pitching and outfield coach and recruiting coordinator. In addition, Holub oversees the team’s academics through meetings, study hall and setting up tutors. She has devoted her time and life to developing student-athletes, but her ability to transform and grow young athletes on and off the field makes her stand out. In 2015, Holub inherited a program that posted just three shutouts. In a short amount of time with two returnees and a freshman, the staff turned in a program-record 18 shutouts, ranked second in Division II with an 1.23 ERA and finished the 2015 regular season with a 50-inning scoreless streak all contributing to a 39-12 overall record. Under her guidance, returning pitchers’ ERAs lowered 0.80 and 2.45 runs per game and the staff’s ERA went from 2.81 in 2014 to 1.23 in 2015.

NCAA Division III: Phil Hansen, Alma College
Alma’s top assistant since 1994, Hansen in a part-time role has played an integral role in the program’s 797-244 record over the last 22 years. Focusing on recruiting, scouting, practice preparation and player development, Hansen was all in when he first started and continues to do so 22 years later, making vast improvements in the program’s recruiting process. Known for his dedication to the program year round, many of Alma’s other head coaches wish they had a “Phil Hansen” as their assistant. Keep in mind Hansen is able to juggle his “real” job as the Downtown Development Director in the town of St. Louis, Mich., with his softball duties and go above and beyond in both. Head coach Denny Griffin also said that Hansen’s very effective organizational skills have rubbed off on him and impacted his managerial skills, while his best attribute on the field is player development and the way he truly cares for the players.

NAIA: Gene Reardon, Central Methodist
Reardon, a 10-year coaching veteran with Central Methodist softball, has completely changed the face of the program through his dedication and hard work. He has done all this on a volunteer basis. CMU’s recruiting coordinator, Reardon is tireless on the recruiting trail, helping Central Methodist claim its fifth consecutive conference championship and fourth straight NFCA Midwest Coaching Staff of the Year award. With Reardon as the program’s hitting coach, the Eagles’ hitters have seen a steady improvement, with team’s batting average and home runs increasing over the past seven years. His commitment to the staff, the school and above all the players is done through his counseling, financial support and teaching.

NJCAA Division I: Tara Bendt, Salt Lake Community College
Bendt’s contributions to the program helped Salt Lake CC hold a No. 1 ranking for four weeks during the season and carried that into the National Championship Tournament. Along with her duties as recruiting coordinator and as an outfield and slapping coach, Bendt plays a critical role as the team motivator through various channels before or during practice or whenever she feels it is needed. Her hard work on the recruiting trail has allowed Bendt and head coach Cyndee Bennett to open up recruiting in several different states and form relationships with many four-year schools. Also on her plate is marketing of the program, which involves social media, player of the week nominations and getting Salt Lake CC softball information out to the public in a timely fashion, which has been received well.

The winners were nominated by their NFCA member head coach and selected by a panel of their peers on the NFCA Awards Committee.