Yuma News Now

Yuma, Arizona - Arizona Western College announced that AWC Head Softball Coach Angel Shamblin has officially submitted her resignation. Shamblin will stay on with the program until after AWC Commencement ceremonies May 15th. The announcement comes just one day after Shamblin completed her 2nd year at the helm by leading the Lady Matadors to their first Region I Playoff berth since 2006, and one week after she won the ACCAC Coach of the Year Award.

Shamblin told her players of her intention to step down right after the Lady Mats’ 12-3 loss to 2nd-seeded Pima Community College in a Region I Playoff elimination game in Prescott. While Shamblin’s words were an understandable shock to those sitting around her during the postgame speech, the speech was one that Shamblin had been pondering for several weeks. Shamblin first came to AWC on an interim basis in August 2007-just days before the start of AWC’s fall semester-from her home in Northern California, where she’d spent all but a couple of years of her life. With only 12 players on the active roster when she arrived, the former Chico State assistant went right to work, recruiting players as she was putting the existing roster through ‘fall ball’. By the time the ‘08 Lady Mats’ squad started the regular season, Shamblin had increased the roster to 16, and many of her late additions became integral parts of the team’s success. The upstart ’08 team stayed in the playoff race until the final week of the regular season, and electrified Matador fans with their style of play and ‘never-say-die’ heroics in the late innings. Shamblin’s focus and eye for nurturing talent made it easy for AWC officials to decide she was the best person for the permanent head coaching position, and removed the ‘interim’ title in late March.

This season, AWC got out of the gates quickly, winning 11 of their first 13 games, and ringing up key wins over national DII champ Phoenix, defending Region I DI Champion Yavapai and nationally ranked Southern Idaho and Glendale. The team’s resolve was truly tested in mid-March, when Shamblin had to dismiss the team’s #2 starting pitcher and two starting infielders due to violation of team rules. The moves could’ve done away with the team’s playoff chances, but Shamblin held the team together and led them to the postseason. By that time, Shamblin realized she needed to be back with her family, but wasn’t going to let that be a distraction to her team or her assistant coaches, so she kept mum until the season came to a close. “I can’t tell you how difficult it is for me to walk away from this, because this has been a dream job in so many ways,” said Shamblin. “From the moment I arrived, the administration, the coaches, (AWC Athletic Director) Jerry (Smith) and everyone else worked so hard to help make our kids successful, and make me a part of the Matador family, and I know that I am. But it’s so tough being away from my parents, my sister and her kids, and all of the people that are a part of me back in California, and every time I’ve gone back this year, it’s become harder and harder to leave them. I just feel that I need to do this now while the softball program has a good base, and while I’m still able to make a move like this. I can’t thank AWC enough for giving me this opportunity.” Shamblin does indeed leave the program in good shape, with a roster of 2010 sophomores that includes returning starters Ali Mercado, Cami Correa, Caitlin Girard, Karen Leon, and 1st Team All-ACCAC pitcher Samantha Gatson. “It’s very hard to see her leave a program that she’s done such a great job making successful, but while I’d love to see her stay, I truly understand why Angel is leaving us,” remarked Jerry Smith. “Our student-athletes aren’t the only ones that fight homesickness when they leave their home state and come to AWC or any other college. Angel’s family ties are extremely important to her, and we respect her decision. We certainly wish her the best, and thank her for two great years of service here.”

Shamblin leaves AWC with a 2-year overall coaching mark of 64-36-2, including a 2009 finishing mark of 35 wins, 14 losses and 1 tie. A national search will begin for Shamblin’s replacement immediately.