ANDERSON, S.C. – Anderson University has announced the retirement of head softball coach Tommy Hewitt at the end of July 2025. His retirement marks the end of a 20-year coaching career with the Trojans marked by immense success on and off the field.
"Tommy will be deeply missed by the Anderson family," Vice President for Athletics, Dr. Bert Epting said. "He has been a great asset to not only the softball program but all of AU athletics. Tommy has played a consistent and integral role in the growth of both the athletic department and the university at large. We are so thankful for his tireless work over the past 20 years and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement."
"It's so crazy how someone from College Park, Georgia got to AU," Hewitt said. "God always has a plan, we just need to listen, so I want to thank him first. I also want to thank my wife, she's been my biggest fan and critic and my kids who have always been there when I needed them. I express my deepest appreciation to the entire AU family for providing me and my family with a fulfilling and rewarding career. I need to thank all the players current and past who have touched our lives. I've coached a team every year of my life since 1972 and I've been on a team or coached every year of my life since 1956. Life will be different but I'm really excited about the next chapter. Go Trojans!"
Just this season, Hewitt hit a major career milestone with 600 wins. He finishes his career with 601 wins overall and 186 wins in the South Atlantic Conference over 15 seasons.
Under Hewitt, the Trojans have made it to the NCAA Southeast Regionals seven times and hosted in 2014 and 2022. They went to the national tournament for three consecutive seasons from 2013-2015, including the team's first ever trip to the NCAA Super Regional in 2013. The Trojans were competitive in the SAC Tournament throughout Hewitt's career, making it to the championship game in 2012, 2014, 2019, 2022 and 2024. The Trojans earned the SAC regular season championship in 2014 and 2022 and won the SAC Tournament in 2014 and 2019.
Hewitt was named the SAC Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2022. He has led 45 Trojans to SAC postseason honors and has coached six to Freshman of the Year honors, one Pitcher of the Year and Region Pitcher of the Year, one Player of the Year, one NFCA National Player of the Year, one Region Player of the Year, eight to All-Region honors and four All-Americans.
Hewitt's dedication to the Trojans extended beyond athletic performance as the team developed a new softball facility in July 2015.
Prior to his time at Anderson, Hewitt worked at Pendleton High School for eight years where he was the school-to-work coordinator and served as the assistant coach for softball and football and the head coach for girls golf, junior varsity boys and girls soccer. He also coached AAU softball and baseball, leading his Under-16 team to an overall record of 99-32 and seven tournament titles in 2002-2003.
Hewitt attended Clayton Junior College and graduated from Mercer University where he received his bachelor's degree in business administration.
Anderson will begin a nationwide search for a new head coach.
