PENSACOLA, Fla. – The University of West Florida and athletic director Dave Scott have announced the hiring of assistant coach Ashliegh McLean as head coach of the UWF softball program. McLean will be the fourth head coach in the program's 32-year history and she replaces Melissa Paul, who is stepping down to spend more time with her family.
 
"We knew we would not have to look far to find a great fit for the program," athletic director Dave Scott said. "As a former Argonaut student-athlete, Ashliegh has a passion for our university and a knowledge of what it takes to win here that we would not find anywhere else. We are proud of what she and Melissa have done over the last several years, and, while we are sad to see Melissa go, we're excited for Ashliegh to continue a great softball tradition at UWF."
 
Over the last three years under McLean, the UWF pitching staff ranks in the top three in the Gulf South Conference in ERA (2.72), shutouts (32), opponent batting average (.241), strikeouts (822) and wins (119), and Argonaut pitchers have earned nine All-GSC or All-South Region awards. In McLean's first season as a full-time assistant coach in 2016, her efforts led the UWF pitching staff to a 2.50 ERA and a .238 batting average against -- a major improvement from the team's 3.57 ERA and .264 batting average in 2015.
 
"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to take over this program and build off the success that Coach Paul and I have built," McLean said. "I have so much pride in this university and feel grateful that Dave Scott, associate athletic director Tony Nguyen and the rest of the administration have granted me the opportunity to serve the program that has opened up endless opportunities for my playing and coaching career."
 
Prior to starting her coaching career at UWF, McLean played for the Argonauts in 2011 and 2012. She started 39 games for the Argos in the circle and over 30 games in right field being a key utility player for West Florida and was listed as one of the GSC's top newcomers in 2011. She totaled 22 career wins in the circle for West Florida and batted .300 as a senior.
 
McLean and Paul were named the 2017 South Region Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) after leading West Florida to a 46-15 record and the program's third South Region Championship.
 
Paul led UWF to a 138-83 (.624) record over four seasons, which included a trip to the NCAA Championship in Salem, Virginia, in 2017. After spending the 2014 season as UWF's assistant coach, Paul was named head coach in 2015 and led UWF to one of the biggest single-season turnarounds in NCAA Division history, winning 42 games in 2016. That marked West Florida's first 40-win season and first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2010.
 
"UWF has been a very special place for me and I have truly enjoyed every moment here," Paul said. "I want to thank our administration and especially Dave Scott and Tony Nguyen for believing in me and being great mentors during my tenure.
 
"Ashliegh is a great hire. I am pleased with what we have accomplished here both on and off the field in the last few years and I am confident she will continue to keep this program as one UWF can be proud of. I look forward to their continued success."
 
In Paul's four years at the helm, Argonauts have earned 2 All-America honors from the NFCA, 11 All-Gulf South Conference honors, 17 All-South Region nods, 4 spots on the GSC All-Academic Team, 2 CoSIDA Academic All-District selections, and 6 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete picks.