After 18 successful years at the helm of the Butler Softball program, head coach Doug Chance has officially stepped down.
Doug Chance, who started coaching at Butler in 2005, set a standard of excellence in the softball realm that will be tough to match for years to come at any level of competition.
"I am really proud of the 18 great years Doug gave to us and this program," said Athletic Director Todd Carter. "He turned the Butler softball program into a national powerhouse and created a tradition and legacy that will last a very long time."
During his 18-year tenure, Chance accumulated an astonishing overall record of 772-177, a win percentage of 81%. During that time his teams went 316-32 in KJCCC play and never lost more than five conference games in a season. He won back-to-back NJCAA National Championships in 2016 and 2017 while getting to the National Tournament 12 times in 18 seasons. His teams won 14 KJCCC titles and have laid claim to the title the last 11-straight seasons. His team has won 12 Region VI titles over the last 18-seasons under Chance.
Chance also coached the Grizzlies to an 88-game win streak, a record that stretched from the 2016-2017 seasons and a record that still holds as the best across all divisions. Four times Chance's teams went undefeated in KJCCC play and four times they finished the year undefeated playing at home. Chance has won Jayhawk Conference Coach of the Year 13 times, and his teams have been ranked inside the NJCAA National Top-20 69-straight weeks dating back to the 2015 season. He has coached 33 NJCAA All-Americans, three national Players of the Year and six KJCCC Players of the Year.
"I really appreciate the opportunity that I was given at Butler," commented Chance. "I will always treasure the relationships I built during my time at Butler."
Butler softball has forever been changed by coach Chance and the years of successful teams he put together during his tenure. Not only did his teams achieve success on the diamond but also in the classroom. All but on year of Chance's career, his softball team had a cumulative 3.0+ grade point average and in 2019 the team was the NJCAA Academic team of the Year with a 3.65 team GPA.
Chance and his witty humor will be missed, and we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors. Thank you for your years of dedication and service to Butler Community College and Butler Athletics. The mark you left on the Butler softball program will forever be remembered.
