Newbern leaving Washburn for Division I

June 18, 2002

Washburn softball head coach Kim Newbern is leaving to take the head coaching position at the University of New Mexico after six seasons as the Lady Blues’ head coach. The Lobos finished the 2002 season with an overall record of 18-29-1, including 9-10 in the Mountain West Conference.

“Washburn was a great place to start my coaching career and Loren took a chance on me with no head coaching experience and I want to thank him for the opportunity,” Newbern said. “The hardest part about the decision to move to New Mexico was leaving the team. They are very talented and they have a bright future and I know they will build on the success we had this past season.”

Newbern led the Lady Blues to the 2002 MIAA Regular Season Championship with a 16-2 record and an overall record of 48-11, which was the best winning percentage in school history.
She leaves Washburn as the winningest coach in school history compiling a 209-111 (.653) record. Her winning percentage is second in school history. Newbern also led the Lady Blues to its only NCAA Tournament appearance in 1999.

Newbern came to Washburn after serving as the assistant softball coach at the University of Kansas in 1996. Newbern, a 1994 graduate of the University of Kansas, was the assistant coach at Oklahoma State University before to her appointment with the KU program.

“Coach Newbern did a great job building this program,” Washburn Athletic Director Loren Ferré said. “We will miss her. I wish her the best in her new job and I know she will be a success.”

Ferré said the search for a new coach will begin immediately.