SAN DIEGO - Two-time national champion and former All-American Shay Knighten has been named the new assistant coach for San Diego softball, head coach MJ Knighten announced on Wednesday.
 
"Shay is the definition of championship mindset," said MJ Knighten. "Her background and resume speak for itself. She knows what it takes to win and to win often."
 
"Shay's knowledge of the game, especially as a hitter, is going to get our offense exactly where it needs to be. I know she is going to be a great addition to our coaching staff."
 
Shay joins the staff after a standout career at Oklahoma and in the National Pro Fastpitch league.
 
"I am very excited to begin my coaching journey and share my passion and love for this game with our scholar-athletes at USD," said Shay Knighten. "This group of women are special, and I'm excited to get to work with them. I can't wait to get on the field and work hard for this upcoming season. It's going to be fun!"
 
Shay Knighten adds to the wealth of elite softball experience on the San Diego staff after helping lead the Sooners to back-to-back national titles in 2016 and 2017 in her freshman and sophomore seasons, respectively. The Buena Park, Calif. native was known for her bat during her collegiate career after hitting .360 over four seasons and tallying 247 hits and 42 home runs. In the memorable 2017 postseason run for the Sooners, she had a career-best 12-game hitting streak that covered every game of the postseason and multiple game-defining moments at the plate during the Women's College World Series.
 
She started 233 of 239 career games at Oklahoma and finished her career ranked fourth in sacrifice flies (10) and sixth in RBIs (197). Shay Knighten was named a 2016 and 2017 NFCA Second Team All-American, the Most Outstanding Player in the 2017 WCWS, the 2017 Big 12 Player of the Year, and a four-time All-Big 12 honoree.
 
In 2019, Shay Knighten was selected 20th overall by the USSSA Pride who went on to win the NPF Championship later that summer. Along with her playing duties, she helped orchestrate camp activities and coached over 200 youth athletes for the organization.
 
The role with the Toreros will be her second stop in a coaching capacity at the collegiate level as she served as an undergraduate assistant coach for the Sooners in 2019-20.
 
In her role with San Diego, Shay Knighten will be working with hitters and infielders, while being tasked with recruiting, scheduling and assisting in fundraising efforts.
 
Shay Knighten earned her degree in human relations from Oklahoma this past May.