The Wichita State softball team has two new coaches in the lineup for this year’s season.

Wichita Wingnuts manager Kevin Hooper will return to his alma mater as volunteer assistant coach, and Ryne Stefankiewicz, former graduate assistant at Auburn University in Alabama, will begin as the new assistant softball coach.

Hooper, a former Shocker baseball player, will continue to manage the Wingnuts while helping the Shockers.

Stefankiewicz has a master’s degree in adult education and assisted head coach Clint Myers for the Auburn Tiger’s softball team.

Stefankiewicz’s 2015 season at Auburn University was full of achievements, which included a second place, regular season finish and winning the Southeastern Conference Tournament, the regional and the Super Regional. This made Stefankiewicz and the Tigers reach their first appearance at the Women’s College World Series.

At Division I colleges, Stefankiewicz has helped coach some of the best young players for the Echoes Elite Gold 18U team, where they qualified for the ASA Gold Nationals, twice.

“I love pitching, so I’m excited to work with the pitchers,” Stefankiewicz said. “Being a part of Wichita State is exciting in that the administration, first of all, supports you and, secondly, the expectation is to win conference championships.”

Bredbenner said she is excited about a fresh perspective from Stefankiewicz.

Last season, the WSU softball team finished with a 34-23 record overall and a 16-11 record in the conference.

While Stefankiewicz has only been in Wichita for about two weeks, he said it’s nice to be able to go out and be anonymous rather than being recognized everywhere outside of WSU.

“In Auburn, everywhere you went everyone knew who you were,” he said. “Here at Wichita State, coaches can blend into the crowd, and at Auburn, that wasn’t an option.”

Hooper, to the contrary, is well known for his time at WSU and with the Wichita Wingnuts and brings something different to the table.

Hooper led the Wingnuts to six winning seasons, five division titles and three straight berths in the American Association Championship Series.

Overall in his career at WSU, he maintained a .358 batting average and ranked in the top 15 in Shocker history with runs, hits, doubles, triples and walks. He also contributed to the 1996 College World Series team.

Stefankiewicz and Hooper will debut with the team during its first fall game. The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sept. 19 a C. Howard Wilkins Softball Complex.

“Coach [Clint] Meyers always said, ‘Greatness is a way of life,’” Stefankiewicz said. “Having greatness here at Wichita State is something that I plan to continue.”