Story Courtesy of Wayne State's Sport's Information Department
DETROIT -- Wayne State University Director of Athletics Rob Fournier has announced the hiring of Nicole (Abel) Tines as head softball coach following the retirement of 40-year head coach Gary Bryce earlier this month.
"When you have a program with the success and history of WSU softball, you want a person who not only understands that tradition but has the ability and skill to continue and build on those achievements," stated Fournier. "We have that in Nicole. Her work ethic, her accomplishments as both a student-athlete and a coach and her proven commitment to excellence, underscores her selection. I look forward to working with 'one of our own' as we continue a rich softball legacy developed by Gary Bryce and Pat Kent."
"I would like to thank Mr. Fournier and the search committee for this tremendous opportunity," commented Tines. "I would also like to thank my mentors, Gary Bryce and Pat Kent, as well as the WSU Softball alumni for their unwavering support. Being part of such a respected and successful program is and has been an incredible honor and I look forward to carrying on that tradition, as it is something that means so much to me. Wayne State has been such an important part of my life and I am beyond honored and extremely excited for this new chapter to begin."
Tines was elevated to head coach after serving on Bryce's staff the last 10 years, including the previous seven as a full-time assistant coach. She was a student assistant coach in 2012, followed by two years as a graduate assistant coach (2013 and 2014).
No stranger to success, in Tines' seven seasons as a full-time assistant coach, WSU compiled a 223-122-1 record with two GLIAC Tournament titles and four NCAA Tournament appearances. As a student-athlete, she helped Wayne State to a 168-64 mark in her four years, including a 69-19 GLIAC record.
A native of Kitchener, Ont., Tines was a four-year (2007-10) letterwinner for the Warriors, helping WSU reach the 2010 College World Series. As a senior, she compiled a 7-1 record as a starting pitcher with 54 strikeouts in 59.1 innings. Tines had three shutouts plus two combined shutouts in 2010. She struck out a career-high 12 batters twice (April 22 at Detroit, and April 30 at Northwood). Tines threw 27 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings (April 22-May 1) as a senior.
During her Wayne State career, Tines appeared in 88 games in the circle recording a 29-21 mark with four saves and a 2.54 ERA in 350 innings with 300 strikeouts. Opponents batted just .238 as she tossed nine shutouts, plus assisted on 11 other whitewashes.
Tines graduated in May 2012 with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and earned her master's degree in Sports Administration from WSU in 2014.
While serving as pitching coach for the Warriors, Tines helped mentor the 2016 NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) National Player of the Year (Lyndsay Butler). Butler was a top-three finalist for the same award in 2017 as well as becoming the only person in NCAA Softball history (Divisions I, II and III combined) to record at least 300 hits as a batter and over 1,000 strikeouts as a pitcher. The 2017 pitching staff led the nation in ERA (1.22), while ranking seventh in shutouts with 20.
Tines becomes the fifth head coach in program history as the squad looks towards its 48th season in 2022. Millie Lindsey was the coach in both 1975 and 1976, while JoAnne Shirkey coached the Tartars in 1977. Diane Laffey served four years (1978-81) as head coach before Bryce handled the last 40 years (1982-2021).
TRANSACTIONS: Wayne State (Mich.) selected Nicole Tines as head softball coach.
