LAS CRUCES, N.M –Kathy Rodolph has made a new addition to her staff ahead of the 2024 season. Benet Higgs will call Las Cruces home for the Aggies' first season in Conference USA. 
 
New assistant coach Benet Higgs was most recently the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Stony Brook where she helped the Seawolves to a 29-27 overall record in 2023. The Seawolves have combined to win 60 games over the past two seasons, which is the most of any CAA school during that time span. 
 
Higgs took over as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Seawolves back in August 2017, where their record of 154-104 earned a .597 winning percentage in her six seasons at Stony Brook.
 
When asked about her thoughts on joining NM State's staff, Higgs said "I am incredibly grateful to Coach Rodolph and Dr. Amber Burdge for the opportunity to be a part of the Aggie Softball program. New Mexico State Softball has a storied history of success, and I am looking forward to being a part of that dynamic culture in our inaugural CUSA season."
 
Head Coach Kathy Rodolph added "We are thrilled to add Benet Higgs to our staff.  She has a great softball mind and is an avid learner. Her teaching philosophy fits in well with our approach to teaching the game.  She is a tireless recruiter and I'm excited to have her on our team."
 
Higgs' time on Long Island was highlighted by five no-hitters and a perfect game on February 23, 2020.  Additionally, the Seawolves pulled off a 1-0 win against No. 23-ranked Mississippi State in February 2023.
 
Under Higgs, the Seawolves never finished worse than third during their time in the America East Conference. In 2020, Stony Brook started off 7-0 and was the last unbeaten team in the nation, however, the season was canceled shortly after due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, in 2022, Stony Brook finished second in the AEC (31-16, 10-6), but the school was ruled ineligible to compete for conference championships due to their looming departure to the Colonial Athletic Conference. 
 
In 2023 alone, Stony Brook had two All-CAA Selections, three athletes named CAA Player of the Week, and an NFCA DI All-Region Selection. The team also led the CAA with 45 home runs.
 
Prior to her time with Stony Brook, Higgs spent four years with Bradley University as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2014-17. There, the Braves posted their top three finishes in their respective conference standings in program history (2014-16). 
 
Higgs also spent 2012 and 2013 in West Point, N.Y., highlighted by a 2013 Patriot League Tournament Championship and NCAA DI Regional appearance with the Army Black Knights.
 
Benet Higgs graduated from Stephen F. Austin where she studied Business Administration. As a player, she was a Southland Conference Tournament Champion in 2008, playing centerfield and shortstop while switch-hitting at the plate. She later went on to be a graduate assistant coach at South Dakota State for the 2011 season.

For complete coverage of NM State Softball during the 2024 season, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of the Aggies – and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Softball), Twitter (@NMStateSoftball) and Instagram (@NMStateSoftball).