Davenport Resigns as North Georgia Softball Coach
DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia has announced a vacancy in its decorated softball program as long-time head coach Mike Davenport resigned to become an assistant coach on the University of Georgia softball staff.
The 27-year veteran coach won over 1,000 games at North Georgia and in the last decade, led the North Georgia softball program to a pair of NCAA Division II National Championship and 10 consecutive PBC regular season championships.
"Coach Davenport has given over two and a half decades of distinguished service to the University of North Georgia and help build the nation's premier NCAA Division II softball program," stated Director of Athletics Mary Rob Plunkett. "His impact on our athletes and the legacy he leaves behind will not be forgotten."
In his tenure he coached numerous All-Americans, including two National Players of the Year in Courtney Poole (2015) and Kylee Smith (2018). The Nighthawks have won every PBC regular season and tournament championship during that time, breaking the records for consecutive titles in both categories.
A nine-time PBC Coach of the Year, Davenport helped establish a culture of championships at North Georgia winning 15 conference regular season titles, 14 conference tournaments, eight NCAA Southeast Region Championships and two NCAA DII National Championships. He has established UNG as a powerhouse in NCAA Division II softball, taking North Georgia to three consecutive Division II Championship appearances twice from 2009-11 and again in 2021-23.
Davenport's achievements were further accentuated with his induction into the Georgia Dugout Club Softball Hall of Fame in January of 2020.
On the heels of its most accomplished year, collectively Nighthawk Athletics continues to position as one of country's most value-added programs. The year saw the men's basketball team advance to the Elite Eight and the women's tennis team reach the Final Four – both program firsts. Men's golf was ranked No. 1 in the country for nearly the entire season, and was the National Championship runners-up, going further in the NCAA Tournament than they ever have before. All the success ultimately culminated in North Georgia winning the Peach Belt Conference Commissioner's Cup, which recognizes the best athletic program in the conference.
A national search for the next softball head coach will launch immediately. The Nighthawks open their fall schedule on Friday, Oct. 4 with a road trip to The Flats to face Georgia Tech.
Latest General Stories Feed
- North Georgia Athletic Fund Announces Board of DirectorsDAHLONEGA - The University of North Georgia athletic department has announced the inaugural Board of Directors for the newly created North Georgia Athletic Fund (NGAF). The NGAF was founded in 2024 as an ambitious and comprehensive fundraising initiative that supports the institutional goal of building the most competitive and value-added NCAA Division II program in the country.
- Nighthawk Sideline Shop Features New Options Including Sideline, Nighthawk Collection and Customizable ApparelDAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia has rolled out the Nighthawk Sideline Shop, an online spirit shop where fans can get newly branded gear that mirrors what the Nighthawks are wearing. The Nighthawk Sideline Shop offers two lines of apparel – the Sideline offering that matches much of the gear worn by the Nighthawk teams and the Nighthawk Collection which is an exclusive high-end line with a custom tag and branded label.
- Nighthawk Athletics Partners With Corps of Cadets & College of Health Science & Professions to Launch the Institute for Peak PerformanceDAHLONEGA - The University of North Georgia (UNG) launched the Institute for Peak Performance (IPP) on Sept. 21, bringing together the collective expertise and resources of the Cadet Leadership Academy (CLA), Athletics Department and College of Health Sciences & Professions.
- Trotter Announced As UNG's Director of Creative ServicesDAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia has announced David Trotter as the new Director of Creative Services at UNG. He will serve as the director for UNG's creative content in graphic design, photography and videography.
- Wear What the Nighthawks Wear: North Georgia Announces Nighthawk Sideline ShopDAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia Nighthawk Athletics has announced the unveiling of the Nighthawk Sideline Shop, an exclusive location for branding Nighthawk Athletics gear. With the all new online retail store, fans can wear what the Nighthawks wear as North Georgia continues its brand footprint with the streamlined new NG logo.
- Nighthawk Athletics Launches New Fundraising Initiative – North Georgia Athletic FundDAHLONEGA – On the heels of the most successful athletic year in school history, the University of North Georgia is excited to announce the launch of its newly branded fundraising strategy called the North Georgia Athletic Fund (NGAF). The campaign is an ambitious and comprehensive fundraising initiative that supports the institutional goal of building the most competitive and value-added NCAA Division II program in the country.