Rutgers University - Newark Women's Softball

Hunt was named the Rutgers University-Newark softball coach on July 27, 2015.   Hunt comes to Newark after time at Division I Central Connecticut State University, Division II University of Bridgeport and Division III Wheaton College.   Kristen has a wide-ranging and diverse coaching background and is someone that I think is going to do great things for our softball program, said Griffin. She has experience at all three levels of intercollegiate athletics and has consistently been part of successful programs as a player and coach over the course of her young career.   Hunt graduated from Wheaton (Mass.) in May of 2011 and was an NFCA All-Region pick that same season. A two-year team captain and 2011 all-conference performer, Hunt immediately headed to Bridgeport in her home state as an assistant coach (2011-2014). As a member of the Knights staff, she had her hands in all aspects of the program, developing a strength and conditioning program, planning and running individual practices and much more.   After three seasons at UB, Hunt moved on to CCSU in January of 2014 and helped guide the Blue Devils to the 2015 Northeast Conference title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. While at Central, Hunt played a major role in all recruiting, travel, budgeting, team academic performance, community service, university and NCAA compliance, etc. During that time, the Blue Devils compiled an overall record of 60-30 and a winning percentage of .667, making deep postseason runs in both campaigns.   A two-sport standout at Wheaton, Hunt graduated with a B.A. in Psychology (Minor in Sociology). While at Bridgeport and Central Connecticut, she also worked for the Connecticut Center for Child Development as a Senior Instructional Assistant.   I am honored to join the Rutgers-Newark community and would like to thank Mr. Griffin for this opportunity to lead the softball program, said Hunt. I feel Rutgers-Newark is a special place that is fully committed to its student-athletes and has so much room to grow. I am extremely excited to continue my career as a Scarlet Raider and cannot wait to get started.    The Scarlet Raiders had a solid 2014 season that featured 18 wins, including closing the season by winning nine of their final 12 outings.  

Jaclyn Davis enters her fifth season as the head coach of the Rutgers-Newark Softball program, as her staff is primed and ready to improve upon last years’ win total.   Davis has had at least one honoree every season so far during her stint as head coach in Newark. Rookie Kristin Kloss earned All-NJAC accolades for her play during the 2025 season.  Outfielder Keelin O’Brien earned All-NJAC accolades for her play during the 2024 season. Teammate and rookie Giulia Olear received honorable mention accolades.   In 2023, Michelle McMillan earned recognition again, this time as an all-conference pick as an at-large player. McMillan’s presence along with Davis’ coaching provided the Scarlet Raiders the ability to mix it up at the plate and in the field.   The 2022 season, Davis’ first at the helm, saw several Scarlet Raiders earn all-conference honors. Utility player Jackie Lara was named to the first team, Riley Scuralli earned second team honors, and Michelle McMillan received an honorable mention nod. The Scarlet Raiders improved on their win total from the year before, posting a 13-19 record   Davis was hired to take over prior to the 2022 season, making her return to Rutgers-Newark after an 11-year hiatus in which she went on to win multiple championships as the head coach at Suffolk University.  After leaving Rutgers-Newark after the 2010-11 season as an assistant coach, Davis went on to be the head coach at Austin College as well as the Assistant Director of Intramurals. During her stint there she was also an adjunct professor where she taught Exercise and Sports Science.  In 2012 Davis was hired as the Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator/Head softball coach at Suffolk University. Davis instantly made an impact on the program by making the GNAC Tournament in her first year.  Davis continued to thrive at Suffolk by making the postseason every year under her tenure. That success culminated into three straight 29+ seasons earning her three regular-season titles.  Davis was a four-year player at Post University where she earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) honors as an All-American Scholar Athlete in all four seasons. She was named Post University's Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2007, while also earning the Excellence in Psychology Award by the University while graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors. She was inducted into the Alpha Chi National Honor Society in 2005 and earned Dean's List honors in all four years, and was also named to the Who's Who Among American University and College Students while also earning an All-Academic selection by the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) for 2004 through 2007 seasons.  Davis joined the Scarlet Raiders with a plethora of knowledge and talent. She earned a pair of master's degrees from Boston University in Counseling - Sport Psychology & Coach Education with an emphasis on Exercise Science.    YEAR-BY-YEAR AS HEAD COACH YEAR SCHOOL RECORD 2012 Austin 13-29 2013 Suffolk 16-25 2014 Suffolk 21-23 2015 Suffolk 25-16 2016 Suffolk 33-9 2017 Suffolk 29-17 2018 Suffolk 31-9 2019 Suffolk 21-18 2020 Suffolk 3-7 2021 Suffolk 12-17 2022 Rutgers-Newark 13-19 2023 Rutgers-Newark 9-29 2024 Rutgers-Newark 6-30 2025 Totals Rutgers-Newark 14 Seasons 12-26 244-274