Santiago’s contract not renewed as Nicholls Softball coach

THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University head softball coach Angel Santiago will not have his contract renewed, the Nicholls Athletics Department announced Monday afternoon.

“We have decided a change in leadership is in the best interest of our program going forward,” said Jonathan Terrell, Nicholls Athletics Director. “I’d like to thank Coach Santiago for everything he accomplished as our coach over the past decade, both on the field and in the classroom.”

The Colonels closed out the 10th season under Santiago this past weekend, finishing 12-28 overall and 5-22 in conference. Nicholls placed 11th of out of 12 teams and missed out on the postseason for the first time since 2015.

Santiago leaves the program ranked second all-time in wins with a 255-229 overall record while compiling a 130-103 mark in the Southland. The two-time Southland Coach of the Year led the Colonels to a 40-15 record and a regular season title in 2018, their first in 22 years, and the team finished in the top 3 of the standings in four straight seasons from 2016-19.

In the postseason, Nicholls claimed three consecutive Southland Tournament runner-up finishes from 2017-19.

Under Santiago’s guidance, the program had 38 All-Southland selections and 18 all-academic honorees.

Several of his players left their name in the record book including all-time wins leader Megan Landry, and RBI leaders Amanda Gianelloni and Kasey Frederick. Landy was also named Southland Pitcher of the Year in 2018, along with earning SLC Student-Athlete of the Year and CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team.

In all, Santiago had the Southland’s top pitcher two times, three newcomers of the year and three freshman honors.

Nicholls will begin a national search immediately for a new head coach.