GOLDEN, Colo. – After spending the previous three seasons leading the Colorado School of Mines softball program, it was announced Friday, September 6, that head coach Mike Coutts will be stepping down from the role.
 
Coutts will take over head coaching duties at Division I Rhode Island. Assistant coach Barbara Duran will serve as the acting head coach until the position is filled.
 
"Mines Athletics is sad to see Mike Coutts leave our softball program," said Director of Athletics David Hansburg. "Mike accomplished so much during his three seasons here and we can't thank him enough for his efforts. He brought our program back to a competitive place in the RMAC and helped raise the funds to replace the grass on our field with turf. We want to wish Mike, and his wife Lynn, all the best with their return to New England."
 
During his three-year stint leading the Orediggers as the ninth head coach in program history, Coutts engineered an overall record of 70-79 (.470) and 65-53 (.551) in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action and led Mines to a pair appearances in the postseason. Under his tutelage, Mines softball earned 13 RMAC postseason honors and in 2024, Sadriena Rodriguez became the first player since 2018 to earn All-Region accolades.
 
After going 16-30 overall and 16-20 in his first season at the helm in 2022, Coutts led Mines to records of 25-26 and 29-23 over the next two seasons, with the 2024 campaign marking the highest win total in a season since 2017. In 2023, the Orediggers shattered the program's single-season stolen base record and finished the season with 86 swipes. In 2024, freshman Kellan Ton broke the single-season individual record with 25 steals.
 
Pitching and defense were two areas of emphasis under Coutts and the Orediggers made strides in each category during his three seasons.  Mines lowered their team ERA from well over 5.40 to under 3.80 while the team's fielding percentage increased from .954 to .970 and was tied for the top spot in the RMAC in 2024.
 
A big believer in home field advantage, Coutts directed Mines to a 15-1 record in true home contests in 2024, posting four-game sweeps of Fort Lewis, UCCS and Adams State as part of a 25-win RMAC campaign. Additionally, shortstop Sidney Wilson was named an NCAA Statistical Champion following the conclusion of the season as the Toughest Batter to Strike Out in Division II.
 
Along with the on-field accomplishments, Coutts also improved the academic profile of the program, with Mines student-athletes earning recognition at the conference, regional and national level. Those honors included five RMAC First Team All-Academic selections, 10 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selections, 32 RMAC Academic Honor Roll selections and 37 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes.
 
"I would like to thank President Paul Johnson and Director of Athletics David Hansburg for the incredible opportunity they gave me to be the head softball coach at Mines," said Coutts. "From the administration to the support staff and players, it is truly a first-class institution. I can't thank the players enough for all their hard work and dedication to make Mines softball a great place to be. There was never a day that I didn't love being around them, on or off the field. Coaching at Mines was one of the best coaching experiences I have ever had, and I am truly grateful."
 
Fans can keep up with Mines softball on Twitter at @MinesSoftball and on Instagram at @mines_sb. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.