I had the honor of collaborating with Hall of Fame Coach Scott Whitlock in writing his memoir, I Wasn’t Expecting All This
WHO IS SCOTT WHITLOCK?
Described as the “Will Rogers of softball,” because he never met a man he didn’t like, Scott Whitlock is recognized as one of the sport’s finest coaches. His illustrious, 28-year career began in 1985, when Kennesaw State University hired him as assistant women’s basketball coach and assistant slowpitch softball coach. In 1986, he took over as head softball coach and was instrumental in building one of the greatest college softball programs in the country. Whitlock was the driving force behind the program’s successful transition from slowpitch at the NAIA level to fastpitch at the NAIA, NCAA Division II, and Division I levels.
Competing at the D-II level, Whitlock guided his teams to back-to-back national championships in 1995 and 1996. His 1999 and 2000 seasons marked one of the best two-year runs in softball history when his Owls combined for 108 wins against only 15 loses—a winning percentage of .878. For 12 consecutive years (1991-2002), Whitlock led KSU to a final top 10 national ranking. In his 21 seasons coaching fastpitch, Whitlock compiled an overall fastpitch record of 997-296 (.771), placing him near the top in most NCAA softball coaching categories. Additionally, he won 13 regional crowns and coached 51 All-Americans. Combined with his years as a slowpitch coach (153-15, .910), Whitlock finished with an overall record of 1,150-311 for a winning percentage of .787.
In 2005, Whitlock was inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Georgia Dugout Club Hall of Fame in 2010.
At the conclusion of the 2013 season, Whitlock retired as one of the all-time winningest and most respected coaches in NCAA softball. He remained on staff at KSU as its senior associate athletics director. In his current role, he is responsible for capital projects, as well as serving as the program administrator for baseball, men’s golf, and volleyball. He also works closely with the football program.
His quick humor and affable personality are found at softball clinics throughout the country. His expertise in the field is sought out by his peers, aspiring coaches, and coaching professionals not only from the United States, but from around the globe.
Whitlock is an avid golfer, an aspiring fisherman, and a fan of college football and NASCAR. He is also a classic country music aficionado and admirer of Hank Williams Sr.
Whitlock’s wife, Susan, is also a member of KSU’s faculty. The couple have two children, daughter, Lacey Bass (along with son-in-law Blayne) and son, Blake, one granddaughter, Blair, 3, and a grandson on the way—due March 2019.
ABOUT THE BOOK
I Wasn’t Expecting All This: Memorable Moments from a Grateful Coach
Having coached collegiately for nearly three decades (and lived for nearly six), Scott Whitlock has developed a unique and interesting perspective on life – along with some very entertaining stories. Whitlock has seen it all, not only on the field, but behind the scenes. Some of his favorite memories are documented in his memoir, I Wasn’t Expecting All This.
Whitlock’s career began in 1985, when Kennesaw State University hired him as assistant women’s basketball coach and assistant slow-pitch softball coach. In 1986, he took over as head softball coach and was instrumental in building one of the most respected college softball programs in the country. Whitlock was the driving force behind the program’s successful transition from slow-pitch at the NAIA level to fastpitch (NAIA,) from NAIA to NCAA Division II, and from Division II to Division I.
One of the collegiate softball’s all-time, winningest softball coaches, Whitlock shares his whimsical stories of building a successful program, the dynamics of coaching for nearly 30 years, and the interesting characters and life lessons he encountered along the way.
Topics include:
- Building a Championship Program
- Managing no expectations to unrealistic expectations
- Life before and after winning national championships
- How youth sports have radically changed in America
- Becoming friends with the greatest softball coach of all time
- Working with the USA Olympic Softball Program
- Handling a job offer from a prominent “dream” school
- Introducing family and friends closest to him, and sharing the heartbreak of losing a best friend
Experience a wide array of emotions from an affable man’s journey from being a part-time assistant coach to becoming one of the most respected coaches in NCAA softball.