MIAMI — Bringing a wealth of collegiate experience at the highest level along with a reputation as one of the nation's top rising young coaches, Olivia Watkins has been named the eighth head coach in FIU softball history, Panthers' Director of Athletics Scott Carr announced on Saturday afternoon. 
 
Watkins, 33, has spent the last four years at Duke, playing an integral role in the Blue Devils' historic run from 2023-26, making four-straight NCAA Regional appearances and advancing to the Women's College World Series (WCWS) in 2024 – the first time ever for the program.
 
As both an associate head coach and assistant coach, Watkins helped pace Duke to a 184-56 (.767) record in four seasons, which included a 75-19 (.798) mark in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play and the 2024 ACC Regular Season and Postseason Championship. While in Durham, she was heavily instrumental in the development of a litany of NFCA all-Americans while being part of the 2026 NFCA East Region and 2024 NFCA Southeast Region coaching staffs of the year. 
 
"I'm incredibly honored and excited to be named the next head softball coach at FIU," said Watkins. "I want to thank Scott Carr, Julie Berg and everyone involved in the search process for trusting me with this opportunity.
 
"I would like to thank Marissa Young, as well as the coaches, student-athletes and staff at Duke for their support and the opportunities they provided throughout my time there. I can't wait to lead this program and invest in our student-athletes. My family and I are thrilled to join this great community, and we can't wait to get to work. Go Panthers!"
 
In her 11-season coaching career, Watkins has been involved in seven NCAA Regional berths, three NCAA Super Regional appearances and three conference championships. 
 
As a coach, she has shown a proven ability in both recruiting and player development, exemplified by her direct oversight of several decorated players at each of her coaching stops. Specifically, Watkins has specialized in base running, slap-hitting and defensive fundamental instruction. 
 
Her main areas of focus are directly tied to her playing days as a standout two-time First Team All-Sun Belt Conference and two-time NFCA All-Region performer at Western Kentucky, where she finished her career as the Hilltoppers' all-time leader in batting average (.380) and stolen bases (117). Additionally, she ranks in the top five among career leaders for WKU in hits (200), runs scored (130) and on-base percentage (.421). 
 
Following her illustrious career in Bowling Green, Watkins became the first player in program history to sign as a professional, playing in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the Akron Racers, Pennsylvania Rebellion and Houston Scrap Yard Dawgs, winning a championship with Houston in 2017. 
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Olivia, her husband, Justin, and daughter, Anaya, to the FIU family," stated Carr. "Olivia is a rising star in college softball and has built a strong reputation on recruiting, developing and maximizing student-athlete performance. She's a winner who has won conference championships, NCAA Regionals and Super Regionals, advancing to the Women's College World Series.
 
"Olivia is a proven culture builder who values and builds strong, lasting relationships with student-athletes and coaches. She has coaching experience at the Power 4 and Ivy League levels, and has familiarity with FIU from her time as a player at Western Kentucky. 
 
"Thanks to the leadership of Mike Larabee, FIU softball has established a strong foundation, and we are confident Olivia is the right leader to build upon that momentum and take the program to the next level. Our future is bright! Paws Up!"
 
Watkins' four-year run in Durham was a period of unprecedented success for the program as Duke hosted an NCAA Regional in four-straight seasons – a feat that had been accomplished just once in program history prior to her arrival. In 2026, the Blue Devils finished with a 43-17 record, including 11 wins over top-25 programs on their way to a second Super Regional appearance in three years. Duke's offense closed the 2026 campaign with program highs in hits, runs, doubles, home runs and RBI while Aminah Vega and Jessica Oakland both earned NFCA All-America status. 
 
Her third year in Durham in 2025 saw another 40-win campaign as the Blue Devils advanced to the Regional Championship Game. Under Watkins' watch, Duke had a program-record eight players named to the NFCA's All-Region teams.
 
In her second season with the Blue Devils, Watkins was instrumental in guiding Duke to a record-setting season in 2024, posting a 52-9 record on their way to an ACC Championship and WCWS appearance. Under her leadership, the Blue Devils developed three NFCA All-Americans in Claire Davidson, Vega and Jala Wright. 
 
Immediately upon her arrival in Durham in 2023, Watson was particularly impactful in the development of NFCA All-American D'Auna Jennings, a lefty slapper, who set single-season school records in batting average (.462) and hits (80).
 
Prior to her time at Duke, Watkins enjoyed a three-year stint as an assistant coach at Boston College, where she worked on defense, base running and slap-hitting.
 
The Eagles improved during each of her three seasons in Chestnut Hill. Watkins led the development of all-ACC outfielder Ellie Mataya, who batted over .350 in back-to-back seasons. The Eagles became an active team on the base paths, improving their numbers from 11 stolen bases in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, to 21 in 2021 and 40 in 2022.
 
While at BC, Watkins received the 2021 NFCA Natasha Watley Scholarship for Social Change, which is awarded to a Black coach who has created educational or athletic opportunities for their community, has removed and overcome obstacles through social change or has opened doors for growing the game of fastpitch for Black girls or women.
 
Before making her way to Chestnut Hill, Watkins served as an assistant coach at Dartmouth. As the hitting, base running and defensive coach for the infielders, she helped Dartmouth earn the top seed in the 2018 Ivy League Tournament and a share of the league's regular season title. 
 
Watkins began her coaching career at Illinois where she was the volunteer assistant coach for two seasons (2016-17). The Fighting Illini went 75-42 (.636) and finished fourth overall in the 14-team league in 2017. 
 
A native of Florence, Ala., Watkins earned her undergraduate degree from WKU in 2015 and went on to earn her master's degree in Sport Administration from Boston College in 2019. 
 
THE OLIVIA WATKINS FILE
Hometown: Florence, Ala.
High School: Florence
College: Western Kentucky, 2015 (B.S.) | Boston College, 2019 (M.S.)
Husband: Justin
Children: Anaya (1)
Born: Oct. 27, 1992 (33)
 
PLAYING CAREER
WESTERN KENTUCKY (SUN BELT)
2011-14: Two-Time First Team All-SBC | Two-Time NFCA All-Region
 
NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH 
2014: Akron Racers
2015-16: Pennsylvania Rebellion
2017-18: Houston Scrap Yard Dawgs (2017 Cowles Cup Champions)
 
COACHING CAREER
ILLINOIS (BIG 10)
2016-17: Volunteer Assistant
 
DARTMOUTH (IVY LEAGUE)
2018-19: Assistant Coach
 
BOSTON COLLEGE (ACC)
2020-22: Assistant Coach
 
DUKE (ACC)
2023-24: Assistant Coach
2025-26: Associate Head Coach

WHAT ELSE THEY ARE SAYING
"Olivia is a student of the game! She is always looking for an edge as a competitor. She is steady under pressure and has coached at the highest level of college softball. She will be an incredible leader for FIU. Fantastic hire!"
- Tennessee Associate Head Coach Megan Smith

"Congratulations to FIU on a tremendous hire! Olivia Watkins is one of the country's best up and coming head coaches. Olivia is a relentless recruiter and will make an immediate difference for the Panthers! Olivia is rooted in competitive excellence and will provide a culture that will allow her student-athletes to succeed well beyond their playing years. Congratulations to all!"
- Alabama Pitching Coach Lance McMahon

"Olivia has been part of an ACC Championship and a Women's College World Series, giving her firsthand experience with what it takes to win at the highest level. She understands how to set the standard, recruit talented student-athletes and develop both players and the culture that drives championship success. I'm excited to see her put her own stamp on FIU and lead the program into its next chapter."
- Duke Head Coach Marissa Young

"Olivia is one of the premier coaches in the game today. She has achieved success at every stop throughout her career and has a proven ability to develop student-athletes both on and off the field. Her commitment to their growth and success is evident in everything she does. Without a doubt, Olivia's energy, vision and relentless work ethic make her the ideal leader for this program. I am confident FIU will reach new heights and thrive under her leadership."
- Former Illinois, Ball State & Western Kentucky Head Coach Tyra Perry

"Coach Liv is a coach that every athlete wants in their corner. Her ability to connect and build relationships with athletes is second to none. She understands her players as people first, and I'm lucky to have experienced this first hand at Duke. FIU is gaining a coach who will be deeply invested in the success of her athletes, both on and off the field, and I can't wait to see the heights in which she takes this program."
- Deja Davis - Duke Softball Alum (All-American)

"Olivia is a role model in all aspects of life. She shows you what it looks like to be a good mother, friend, coach and teacher. She genuinely cares about the development of every player and invests her time and energy equally in everyone. Her passion for the game is contagious and inspires those around her to raise their own standards and work harder every day. She is committed to making players better in all aspects of life that you can see a difference in the way they play and live every day. Her leadership and ability to bring out the best in others makes her the best person to lead FIU! Can't wait for her to put her touch on this program!"
- Jada Baker, Duke Softball Alum
 
SUPPORT FIU SOFTBALL
Financial support has never been more imperative in intercollegiate athletics than it is now. Please enhance our softball student-athletes' experience by giving them, and Coach Watkins, the resources needed to succeed by becoming a Panther Club member today.