Updated: June 18, 2025
After previously spending three seasons on the University of North Alabama coaching staff, including during the 2016 national championship season, Whitney Hawkins rejoined the UNA softball program as pitching coach under head coach
Ashley Cozart on January 9, 2023. She enters her fourth season since rejoining the staff for her seventh overall.
Since her return to UNA, the Lions accomplished a rare feat in the circle. In the 2024 season opener, starting pitcher Alivia Wilken threw the first perfect game in program history in a shutout of Samford. Wilken went on to rank among the nation's leaders with a 1.48 ERA over 189.1 innings, including an 0.99 ERA in league play. Wilken earned first team all-conference honors and was a two-time ASUN Pitcher of the Week.
Hawkins originally became pitching coach at UNA in 2014 and remained for three seasons as the Lions compiled a 130-41 record during her three-year term at North Alabama.
"Whitney Hawkins is a proven winner," said Cozart. "Everywhere she has been, she has made the program better. She was a successful pitcher in college and has produced some great pitchers at the college level. She was here in 2016 with us when we won the national championship so I am excited about the great things she will bring to this program and the experience she has. I look forward to working with her again and excited about the direction of our pitching staff and program."
At the time of her second hire in 2023, Hawkins said she was looking forward to returning to North Alabama.
"I am so excited to be back in Florence and get the chance to be a small part of such a special program again," Hawkins said. "Coach Cozart has done an incredible job with creating the culture here. I am grateful to Dr. Looney and Coach Cozart for allowing me the opportunity to step in and help this pitching staff grow and reach it's full potential."
Hawkins returns to UNA after serving as assistant coach and pitching coach at the University of Montevallo.
Before joining the Falcons, Hawkins was the associate head coach at Lindsey Wilson College for one season and the assistant coach for one season. She helped lead the Blue Raiders to a MSC regular season and tournament championship, an appearance in the NAIA World Series and a No.6 overall national ranking.
Prior to her time at Lindsey Wilson, Hawkins coached at East Mississippi Community College where she helped guide the Lions to a 17-26 overall record, including a 13-15 conference mark in 2017.
A former standout pitcher at the University of Alabama-Huntsville (UAH), Hawkins had spent the the previous three seasons as a student coach with the Chargers before coming to UNA in 2014.
In 2016, she and Cozart were named the NFCA Regional and National Coaching Staff of the Year following the Lions' 60-7 campaign that culminated in the NCAA Division II National Championship.
While at UNA, Hawkins coached some of the top pitchers at the conference, regional and national levels. In her first three seasons, she had seven All-Gulf South Conference and three All-South Region selections at pitcher. During the 2016 title run, left-handed pitcher Hillary Carpenter was named the MVP of the national tournament, tying a record with five victories at the championship event.
As a player, Hawkins lettered two seasons at UAH, earning first-team All-Gulf South Conference and first-team All-South Region honors twice. She helped lead the Chargers to the NCAA Division II national championship game in 2009 and earned a spot on the national all-tournament team. She was also named the 2009 South Region Tournament MVP. She wrapped up her career at UAH with a 1.28 earned run average.
Prior to her time at UAH, Hawkins played two seasons at Wallace Community College in Dothan. She was a two-time All-State and All-Region selection in 2007 and 2008. Her four-year collegiate career included a .391 batting average with 23 home runs and a 76-17 record in the pitching circle.
Originally from Athens, Hawkins lettered at Athens High School, where she was a three-time all-state selection. She pitched, played first base and third base for the Class 5A Eagles. She collected 253 hits, including 29 home runs and 170 RBI. On the mound, she totaled 75 wins with a 1.01 ERA.
She graduated UAH in 2014 with a degree in English and a minor in mathematics.
