MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Christian Brothers University Director of Athletics Dr. Ricky Jackson has announced the hiring of Katlyn Duke as the next head coach of the Buccaneers softball program.
Duke arrives at CBU after spending a brief stint at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Coach Duke spent the last four seasons as the Associate Head Coach at NCAA Division I South Carolina State University. During the 2025 season, she helped guide the Bulldogs to one of the best seasons in program history, finishing just one win shy of capturing the program's first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship of the modern era.
Duke brings a wealth of experience as both a coach and player, having developed student-athletes at the NCAA Division I and high school levels while also enjoying a decorated collegiate playing career.
"We are excited to welcome Katlyn Duke to lead our softball program," said Dr. Ricky Jackson. "Her experience coaching at the Division I level, combined with her championship pedigree as both a player and coach, made her an outstanding choice to lead our program. Katlyn has demonstrated a commitment to developing student-athletes on the field, in the classroom, and as people, and we are confident she will build a strong future for CBU Softball."
Before joining South Carolina State, Duke helped lead her alma mater, Neshoba Central High School, to the 2021 USA Today Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 National Championship. The Rockets completed a perfect 32-0 season while winning the Mississippi Class 5A State Championship. She also previously served as an assistant coach at Nanih Waiya High School.
Duke's playing career began at East Central Community College, where she played a key role in leading the Warriors to the 2015 NJCAA National Championship game. She earned the Marucci Elite Hitter Award after collecting 10 hits and 10 RBI during the national tournament and was named to the NJCAA All-Tournament Team. Duke followed with another outstanding season, earning All-MACJC honors after batting .362 with six home runs and 44 RBI.
After a season at Mississippi State, Duke transferred to Mississippi University for Women, where she became one of the foundational players in the return of the school's softball program. She recorded the first hit, RBI, stolen base, and triple in program history while earning USCAA All-American and All-Academic honors. Duke was named the university's Female Athlete of the Year and still holds the program's single-season records for RBI and triples. She also helped lead The W's women's basketball team to a USCAA National Championship while earning All-Academic honors.
As a student-athlete at Neshoba Central High School, Duke was part of multiple state championship teams in both fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball.
Duke earned an associate degree in Liberal Arts from East Central Community College before receiving her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Mississippi University for Women.
"I first want to thank Dr. Jackson for this incredible opportunity," Duke said. "I am super excited to be the next head coach at Christian Brothers University, and I'm looking forward to building something special here."
"One of the first things that stood out to me was this group of student-athletes. They're a talented group on the field, but they're even better human beings off of it. That speaks volumes about this program and made this opportunity even more exciting."
"I'm grateful to become a part of the CBU community. I can't wait to get to work, build relationships with our student-athletes, and continue building a program that our university and alumni can be proud of."
