The search for Massachusetts softball’s next head coach is over. After announcing earlier this month that Kristi Stefanoni would not be returning to the program, UMass announced Danielle Henderson as her replacement on Wednesday.

Henderson is one of the most decorated athletes UMass has ever seen. She is a three-time all-American, Olympic gold medalist, 2009 UMass hall of fame inductee, and is the only Minutewomen softball player to see her jersey number retired by the program.

In addition to her countless accolades as a player, Henderson brings with her a successful head coaching resume as well. She spent seven years commanding the dugout at UMass Lowell where she earned 118 wins, an America East regular season championship in 2019 and two AEC coach of the year awards in 2017 and 2019.

“Danielle’s legacy as one of the most decorated female athletes in UMass history, combined with her successful coaching resume, clearly established her as the ideal leader of our proud softball program,” Ryan Bamford said in a statement on Wednesday.

UMass finished the 2021 season with a record of 16-17 but has a young roster with plenty of room to grow under Henderson in 2022 and beyond.

Colin McCarthy can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @colinmccarth_DC.