New Louisiana Tech head coach Josh Taylor announced the first addition to his Lady Techster softball coaching staff Thursday while athletic director Eric Wood announced the departure of Techster soccer head coach Kevin Sherry and named assistant Steve Voltz as interim coach.
Taylor was full of praise for his new pitching coach, former Arkansas standout Chelsea Cohen.
“As a pitching coach she brings five years of international experience, pitching and coaching in countries such as Argentina, Austria, South Africa, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Australia and Italy.
“In her time overseas, she worked with and helped develop future and current Olympians. As a former student-athlete at Arkansas, she brings a tremendous amount of experience to our program. She is a confident and well-spoken coach who will no doubt be a fantastic teacher and mentor for all the current and future LA Tech Softball student athletes.”
Cohen was a two-year team captain at Arkansas during her four-year playing career with the Razorbacks (2009-13). During her days in Fayetteville, Cohen finished in the top 10 in wins, innings pitched, games started, appearances, complete games, shutouts and strikeouts.
She struck out a career-high 13 in a win over Saint Louis and earned a win over No. 1 ranked Cal during the 2012 NCAA Regional. She also teamed up with Hope McLemore to toss a combined no-hitter against Kentucky on April 20, 2013. Cohen earned First Year SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2009-10.
Following her playing days at Arkansas, Cohen spent a number of years as a player and a coach on the international level, including time with Sestese Softball Club (Italy, 2018), Kenfac Phillis (South Africa, 2017-18), Zurich Barracudas (Switzerland, 2017), Legnano Softball Club (Italy, 2016), Walkerville (South Australia, 2015-16), Dornbirn Sharx (Austria, 2014) and Buenos Aires (Argentina, 2013).
Her international career was highlighted by championships in Austria and South Africa, European Cup appearances in the Czech Republic and Netherlands, and MVP honors in multiple countries.
Cohen also served as a volunteer assistant at Nevada in 2014-15 and Reed High School in the spring of 2014.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in human environmental sciences from Arkansas in 2013 while being selected by the coaching staff to participate in the Razorback Leadership Academy, designed to cultivate and enhance leadership in athletics. She earned her certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace in May (issued by the University of South Florida Muma College of Business).
SOCCER: Louisiana Tech VP and Director of Athletics Eric Wood’s announcement only acknowledged Sherry wouldn’t return, and did not specify whether it was a resignation, a firing or a non-renewal of a contract. The timing likely rules out the latter possibility.
“We want to thank Kevin for his hard work with our soccer program during his tenure at Louisiana Tech, and we wish him the best in the future,” said Wood.
Voltz will serve as the interim head coach for the upcoming fall season, said Wood. A search for the permanent head coach will occur following the 2021 fall season.
PHOTO/GRAPHIC: Courtesy LA Tech Athletics.
