Virginia's Johns Selected As Assistant Coach Of National Team

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April 7, 2006

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – University of Virginia head softball coach Karen Johns has been selected as an assistant coach for the 2006 USA Softball Women’s National Team as announced by USA Softball. The USA Softball Women’s National Team will compete in the International Softball Federation Women’s World Championships August 27 through September 5 in Beijing, China.

Arizona head coach Mike Candrea has been tabbed as the head coach of the USA Women’s National Team. Johns, along with Chuck D’Arcy and John Rittman, will serve as Candrea’s assistant coaches.

“It is an honor to be a part of USA Softball and work for Coach Candrea,” said Johns. “My experience as a player was fantastic and I am looking forward to being a part of the coaching staff and bringing home the gold.”

Johns, who is in her first season as Virginia’s head coach, served as an assistant coach with the USA Softball Women’s National Team at the 2005 World Cup of Softball where the U.S. lost to Japan in the championship game. She was an assistant coach with the USA Elite Team at the 2005 Canada Cup with the United States falling in the championship game.

A former national team member, Johns helped the USA win medals at the 1990 and 1994 ISF World Championships, the 1994 South Pacific Classic, and the 1995 Pan American Games. Johns led her teams to gold medals at the U.S. Olympic Festival in both 1989 and 1990. She returned to the festival 1994 and 1995, and both times her team claimed the bronze medal.

In six seasons as a collegiate head coach, Johns sports a 211-147 record with four NCAA Regionals appearances.