LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Following 22 seasons at the helm of the NM State softball program, Head Coach Kathy Rodolph retired from coaching this past fall. The winningest coach in program history finishes her tenure leading the Crimson and White to 635 victories and 14 winning seasons. Associate Head Coach Cat Heifner made the same decision, also retiring after 21 campaigns in Las Cruces.
NM State Athletics will recognize Coach Rodolph for over two decades of service and leadership on Friday, Feb. 13, as NM State hosts No. 3 Oklahoma in the Troy Cox Classic at the NM State Softball Complex. The contest against the Sooners is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
Kathy Rodolph, on her decision: "I'm honored to celebrate my career and retirement with New Mexico State University. I'm proud of all that we were able to accomplish over the past 22 years. Cat Heifner and I poured our heart and soul into this university, the athletic department and most importantly into the student-athletes we were able to coach. I see the talented and successful women these student-athletes have become and I'm grateful for any part I was able to play in their journey. Once an Aggie, always an Aggie!"
Since her arrival in 2004, NM State claimed six regular-season WAC Championships, doing so in 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020. On four occasions, Rodolph and Heifner guided the program to a conference tournament title and an NCAA Regional appearance.
The 2011 Aggie squad was the first to make a trip to a regional site, grabbing a postseason win over Texas Tech in Tucson, Ariz. Four years later, the 2015 unit amassed a program-record 47-win season, culminating with another NCAA Regional victory, toppling St. John's 9-6. Rodolph and Heifner then returned to the postseason in back-to-back seasons, making trips in 2017 and 2018, going a combined 29-9 against league foes over the span.
In total, 21 Aggies earned NFCA All-Region selections during the coaches' tenure, most recently landing two on the list in 2025 (
Desirae Spearman and
Faith Aragon). Spearman was named CUSA Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year in 2024, following a long line of WAC stars for the Crimson & White. Across NM State's final nine seasons in the league, eight Aggies were named the league's player of the year, including two apiece from both Nikki Butler and Kelsey Horton.
On April 12, 2024,
Riley Carley's walk-off home run took down FIU in the series opener, granting Rodolph her 600th win as head coach of the program. Just a few weeks later, Jillian Taylor launched a walk-off home run to cap a classic comeback in the opening round of the CUSA Championship over Jacksonville State. The dramatic triumph was her 800th overall victory, including stops at El Paso CC (1999-00) and Angelo State (2002-03).
Rodolph's 708 NCAA wins ranked 35th among active head coaches, with only five doing so in fewer seasons than her. The 1985 UTEP graduate finished with a .533 winning percentage at the helm of the Aggies.
NM State Director of Athletics Joe Fields, on the announcement: "On behalf of Aggie staff, student-athletes and fans, I thank Coach Rodolph and Coach Heifner for their time with the softball program. Since meeting Kathy and Cat, I have come to quickly realize their impact on establishing a winning culture, and building meaningful relationships within the Aggie community. We are grateful for their more than two decades in Las Cruces. I wish them both a happy and healthy retirement as they enjoy their next chapter."
For complete coverage of NM State Softball during the 2026 season, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of the Aggies – and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Softball), Twitter (@NMStateSoftball) and Instagram (@NMStateSoftball).
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