Michigan's Carol Hutchins, winningest coach in NCAA softball history, retires after 38 seasons

Michigan softball coach Carol Hutchins, the winningest coach in college softball history, announced her retirement on Wednesday.

"I want to begin by expressing that today I am filled with pride, love, humility and gratitude," Hutchins said in a released statement. "I have served as the head coach of Michigan softball for 38 years, and I am incredibly grateful to the university for this opportunity of a lifetime. I will forever bleed blue."

Hutchins passed former Arizona coach Mike Candrea for most wins in NCAA softball history on Feb. 25. She finished her career with a 1,707-555-5 record (.755 winning percentage). Her 1,684 wins at Michigan are the most for any coach in any sport in school history.

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The Wolverines never had a losing season and reached the NCAA tournament 29 times under Hutchins, who led Michigan to the 2005 Women's College World Series title — the first team east of the Mississippi River to win a Division I softball championship.

"Words can not adequately describe my appreciation for all that Carol Hutchins has done for the University of Michigan, the sport of softball, nor for the impact she has had on the lives of countless young people," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a released statement. "I also cannot succinctly articulate my personal sadness at her decision to retire from coaching while being so happy that Hutch can enjoy life beyond the game. Hutch is a force who elevated not only the sport of softball but generations of female athletes as a staunch advocate of equality. She has been a tireless fundraiser for societal causes, including the American Cancer Society, and I know that she will continue to impact lives beyond the game of softball. Carol Hutchins is a legend."

During her tenure, Michigan won 22 Big Ten championships and 10 conference tournaments. Hutchins, a Michigan State alumna, was named Big Ten Coach of the Year 18 times.

Michigan hired Hutchins as an assistant coach in 1983 after one season at Ferris State. She was named head coach two years later.

The Lansing native was inducted into the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021. She also coached one season of softball at Ferris State (1982). She was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006.

Free Press sports writer Ryan Ford contributed.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan's Carol Hutchins retires as NCAA softball winningest coach