Auburn names Chris & Kate Malveaux Co-Head Softball Coaches
Auburn Softball
Auburn hires Chris and Kate Malveaux as Co-Head Softball Coaches. The duo comes to Auburn after serving as assistant coaches at Tennessee. During their time at Tennessee they helped the Volunteers to back-to-back SEC regular season titles in 2023 and 2024 as well as a College World Series appearance last year.
Over the last three seasons the two helped the Vols to 136 wins, which is tied for the 10th most wins nationally and second most by an SEC team.
“In meeting with Chris and Kate, it was obvious that their synergy was an indomitable force,” Athletics Director John Cohen said. “Their contributions to Tennessee’s success over the past three seasons are undeniable. We’re so excited to welcome Chris, Kate and their family to Auburn.”
Chris Malveaux is recognized as a top offensive mind in the world of college softball. In 2024, Malveaux helped six Volunteers achieve All-SEC accolades, including McKenna Gibson who earned her third straight All-SEC First Team honor. Malveaux’s mentorship also helped All-American KiKi Milloy become the program leader in home runs, runs scored and total bases. Three of Tennessee’s top five single-season home run totals came under Malveaux.
“We are incredibly humbled and excited to be a part of the Auburn Family! Kate and I are overly thankful to Karen Weekly and the entire Tennessee family for their sacrifices, opportunities, and guidance these past three years,” Chris Malveaux said. “It is an honor to have the opportunity to lead this storied Auburn program into its next stage and are forever grateful for the trust of John Cohen and his incredible staff for believing in us. We can’t wait to get to work! WAR EAGLE!!”
Kate Malveaux was on staff at Tennessee for three seasons before she was promoted to an assistant coach before the 2024 season. Malveaux’s responsibilities as a coached included working with the catchers and baserunners. During the 2024 season, Malveaux helped catcher Sophia Nugent earn All-SEC honors. Nugent only recorded two errors during the course of the season. In each of the past three seasons under Malveaux, the Vols have stolen 50 bases. Since her arrival in 2022, Tennessee has ranked among the top five in the SEC in stolen bases per game.
“Chris and I are both honored and humbled to lead this new era of Auburn Softball. Thank you to John Cohen and all of Auburn Athletics for their faith in us to take on this role and support the program in such an impactful way,” Kate Malveaux said. “Also, thank you to Karen Weekly, the Lady Vol Softball staff, and student-athletes for the opportunity and support of not only us, but also our family. Auburn has proved that it can compete on the national stage, and we are excited to build, develop, and grow this program into a national powerhouse.”
(Information from Auburn University)
