Mary Beth Dennison was tabbed as the 11th head coach in the history of the Furman softball program in June of 2025 following a four-year stint as pitching coach at Georgia Southern.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mary Beth Dennison to the Paladin family as our head softball coach,” said Jason Donnelly, Furman's vice president for intercollegiate athletics. “Mary Beth distinguished herself amongst a talented pool of candidates and brings a depth of experience, passion for the game, and a demonstrated history of success. She is a teacher, a developer of talent, and has a plan to win. We are excited to have Mary Beth and her family join Furman athletics, and we look forward to supporting her vision for the program in the years ahead.”
Under Dennison’s leadership, Georgia Southern improved from a combined 30-68 mark over her first two seasons in Statesboro, Ga., to 30-21 in 2024 and 29-25 this past season. The 2025 Eagles posted the school’s first winning record in Sun Belt Conference play (13-11) since 2016 while Dennison’s pitching staff paced the SBC and ranked 14th nationally with a 2.50 ERA. The Georgia Southern staff also led the league in opponent’s batting average (.238) while ranking second in WHIP (1.22), fourth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (1.85), and fourth in shutouts (8), including a 2-0 victory over No. 22 Michigan.
“I am honored by the opportunity to be Furman University's head softball coach,” said Dennison, at the time of her hiring. “Thank you to Jason Donnelly and his executive staff for entrusting me to lead the program. I believe in the vision of the university and athletic department and the opportunity for success at Furman. I look forward to serving the student-athletes in this role and building this program into a consistent Southern Conference contender.”
Dennison arrived in Statesboro after serving as a volunteer assistant at the University of Michigan under legendary head coach Carol Hutchins, the winningest coach in NCAA Division I softball history. While in Ann Arbor, Mich., during the 2019-21 seasons, she helped the Wolverines to NCAA berths in both years postseason play was held, including hosting an NCAA regional in 2019. The Wolverines compiled a 98-29 mark over the three-year stretch. Dennison and the Wolverine coaches were named the 2021 Great Lakes Region Staff of the Year after capturing the school’s second Big Ten regular season championship in three years.
Prior to her stint a Michigan, Dennison served as an assistant coach for two seasons at Georgia College, helping the Bobcats to a 36-15 record, a second-place finish in the Peach Belt Conference, and an NCAA Division II postseason berth in 2018. She also spent three seasons at East Georgia State, including one year as head coach and two as an assistant coach.
Dennison played her collegiate softball at Middle Georgia College before transferring to Georgia Southern to finish her bachelor's degree in sports management in 2011. She added a master's degree in higher education administration from Georgia Southern in 2014. She and her husband, Steven, have three children: Averi, Anna Beckett, and Brock.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT DENNISON…
“Congratulations to Furman athletics for bringing Mary Beth Dennison home to be your next head coach. Mary Beth has tremendous experience at all levels and is the right person for Furman softball. Mary Beth is truly a people-first coach, who will utilize her skills sets to get the best out of each individual year after year. She will thrive in the tradition of great academics that Furman has to offer, and her competitive nature will help bring Furman to a national stage. I am thrilled to see Mary Beth in this leadership role. She will be a tremendous leader, coach, mentor, and representative of the entire university!”
Carol Hutchins
Former Head Coach
University of Michigan
“I’m excited for this opportunity for Mary Beth and her family. She brings hard work, passion, knowledge, and the ability to build great relationships. “
Sharon Perkins
Head Coach
Georgia Southern University
“Mary Beth is a great coach but an even better person. We have competed against one another for the past 10 years. She is an ultimate competitor who gets the most out of her athletes and she does it the right way! I have no doubt that she will lead the program to great success. A great hire by the Furman athletics department.”
Ryker Chason
Pitching Coach
Auburn University
