Laurin Watts Named Carolina Softball Pitching Coach

Carolina Softball has made a key addition to its staff, bringing in Laurin Watts as the program’s new pitching coach.

The move gives head coach Megan Smith Lyon a new voice to lead the Tar Heel pitching staff after Maddie Holub’s departure from the role. With Carolina looking to continue building momentum under Coach Smith, this hire feels like an important one for the direction of the program.

Pitching development has been one of the biggest areas to watch for the Tar Heels, and Watts arrives in Chapel Hill with a strong track record of helping staffs improve, compete, and produce award-level talent.

How We Got Here

The opening came after Maddie Holub was out as North Carolina’s pitching coach. That created a need for Carolina to find someone who could not only handle the day-to-day development of the staff, but also bring energy and credibility to the recruiting trail.

For a program trying to climb in a deep ACC, the pitching coach role carries major weight. Carolina needs arms that can miss bats, limit free passes, handle conference lineups, and grow throughout a long season.

That is where Watts’ background becomes important.

What Laurin Watts Did At Southern Illinois

Watts comes to Carolina after spending the last two seasons as the pitching coach at Southern Illinois. She was hired by SIU in July 2024 and quickly helped the Salukis put together one of the better pitching staffs in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Her 2026 staff finished with a 2.91 team ERA, which ranked second in the league. In MVC play, Southern Illinois was even better, posting a 2.11 ERA against conference opponents, also good for second in the conference. SIU also had two pitchers earn major league recognition, with Brooklynn Danielson named MVC Freshman of the Year and First Team All MVC, while Emily Delgado was named MVC Newcomer of the Year.

That type of production matters. Watts was not just overseeing a staff that held steady. She helped build a group that performed at a high level inside conference play and developed individual arms into some of the top names in the MVC.

Her first season at SIU was strong as well. The Salukis finished second in the MVC in team ERA at 3.18 in 2025, while Southern Illinois won its second straight MVC regular season championship.

Photos Courtesy of SIU Athletics

Her Coaching Background

Before her time at Southern Illinois, Watts spent five seasons at Southern Utah, where she worked with pitchers and catchers and also handled lead recruiting responsibilities. She was promoted to associate head coach in the fall of 2023.

That part of her background should stand out for Carolina. This is not just a pitching hire. Watts has experience developing batteries, managing recruiting responsibilities, and taking on a larger leadership role inside a program.

Before moving into the college ranks, Watts also had success as a high school head coach in Alabama. At Prattville High School, her teams won back-to-back area titles and made consecutive regional appearances. In 2018, Prattville also reached the state championship tournament. Before that, she led Pinson Valley High School to consecutive championships and three regional appearances.

As a player, Watts pitched at Adelphi University from 2010 to 2013. She earned conference recognition during her career and graduated with a degree in physical education.

What She Brings To Carolina

The biggest thing Watts brings to Chapel Hill is proven pitching development.

At SIU, her staff were consistently near the top of the MVC in ERA. That shows structure, planning, and the ability to get pitchers ready for conference play. Carolina needs that kind of stability in the circle.

Watts also brings a broad coaching background. She has worked with pitchers and catchers, recruited at the college level, led high school programs, and moved into bigger responsibilities quickly throughout her career. That combination gives Carolina someone who has seen the game from several different angles.

For the Tar Heels, this hire appears to be about more than filling a staff opening. It is about adding someone who can help shape the pitching room, connect with players, identify talent, and give Carolina a stronger foundation in the circle.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Photos Courtesy of SIU Athletics

The ACC is not forgiving. To compete consistently in this league, Carolina will need pitching that can hold up against some of the best lineups in the country. Watts’ recent success at Southern Illinois suggests she understands how to build a staff that can compete, develop, and improve over the course of a season.

Bottom Line

Carolina Softball needed a new leader for its pitching staff, and Laurin Watts brings a résumé that fits what the Tar Heels are trying to build. She helped Southern Illinois become one of the top pitching staffs in the Missouri Valley Conference, developed award-winning arms, and brings recruiting experience along with a strong background in player development.

For a Carolina program looking to keep climbing under Megan Smith Lyon, this feels like a meaningful addition to the staff.