Earleywine given contract extension as Missouri softball coach

COLUMBIA —  Ehren Earleywine’s efforts to elevate the Missouri softball program have not gone unnoticed. After three straight Women’s College World Series appearances, he has been given a seven-year contract extension which will make him coach of the program through the 2018 season.

“My family and I are thankful for the extension,” Earlywine said in a release. “I have been, and always will be, thankful for the job I have at Missouri.”

The 2011 season might have been the program's most successful year. The Tigers won the Big 12 Conference regular season title and collected their first WCWS win since 1991. They finished the season with a No. 6 national ranking, the highest the team has received. Earlywine was also named Big 12 Coach of the Year for the second time.

“Ehren is undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the country,” Missouri Director of Athletics Mike Alden said in the release.    

Earlywine, who has been the Tigers coach since 2006, has a .760 winning percentage and 241 wins, second all-time amongst Missouri softball coaches.