MOBILE, Ala. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) Department of Athletics announces that Steve Kittrell has retired from the position of softball head coach after five successful seasons in that role.

"When I first came to Spring Hill, I just thought I could help them through the transition from the NAIA and into NCAA Division II," Kittrell said. "SHC had unexpectedly lost their coach to a Division I job and I thought I could help out that year, but I had so much fun that season that I ended up sticking around. The girls made it so much fun and they taught me so much about coaching women's softball. I've learned a lot the past five years.

"At 73, it's time to turn things over to a younger person," Kittrell continued. "I had a great time and Spring Hill is a great college. I'm proud of what we did over the years to improve the program and I had a ball. I now look forward to fishing, spending a lot of time watching SHC softball and baseball, as well as watching South Alabama baseball more than I've been able to."

Joining SHC in December 2017, Kittrell led the Badgers to the 2019 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Championship and the NCAA South Region Tournament in the team's first year of postseason eligibility after transitioning to NCAA Division II.

Kittrell built a 102-71 overall record with the Badgers, including a 55-6 mark in the SIAC, despite the 2020 season being interrupted after only 15 games and the 2021 season consisting of only 26 games due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. In 2022, his Badgers battled to the SIAC Runner-Up title at the conference tournament, falling 1-0 in 10 innings to Tuskegee University.

"SHC has been very fortunate to have the caliber of person as a coach and mentor in athletics the last several years as Steve," said SHC Athletic Director Joe Niland. "Steve brought his vast knowledge to teach and motivate young people to the Hill when our softball program really needed that stability. Not only did he pass along his knowledge and enthusiasm, but Steve also improved the SHC softball facilities by personally raising the funds to build our new covered hitting facility. We cannot be grateful enough to Coach Kittrell for his service to Spring Hill College and wish him the best in his retirement."

"The addition of the covered batting facility was one of my pet projects when I arrived," Kittrell added. "I can't thank enough all the people who donated to make that project come true."

Prior to his time with the Badgers, Kittrell built a career record of 1052–644–1 (.620) in 25 seasons as the head baseball coach at the University of South Alabama (USA) from 1984 to 2011 following one season as the Badger head baseball coach in 1983.

Kittrell began his coaching career as the head baseball coach at Niceville (Fla.) High School where he posted a 35–15 record in two seasons. From 1976 to 1978, he served as the head baseball coach at University Military School (UMS) in Mobile where he went 95–34. Kittrell coached at Enterprise (Ala.) State Junior College from 1979 to 1980 with a record of 52–30 before taking the reins of the Spring Hill baseball team for one season in 1983, posting a 33–19 record.

Kittrell played baseball at USA and later played one season in the Boston Red Sox organization, reaching Class-A Winter Haven.

On February 23, 2009, Kittrell became only the 50^th coach in NCAA baseball history to reach the 1,000-win plateau and he led the Jaguars to 18 NCAA tournament appearances, including 10 Sun Belt Conference championships.

A member of the USA Athletic Hall of Fame, Kittrell announced his retirement from the Jaguars program on June 25, 2010 effective after the 2011 season.