LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State Head Softball Coach Benet Higgs has announced the addition of Cat Clifford as an associate coach. Clifford arrives in Las Cruces following a successful coaching career that includes stops at Longwood, FGCU and Manhattan.
"Cat brings a wealth of experience from both the head coach and assistant coach roles, along with a proven track record of success at multiple championship-caliber mid-major programs. One of her more recent stops was at Florida Gulf Coast, where she was part of one of the nation's premier mid-major programs," said Head Coach Higgs. "Combined with her coaching experience throughout the East, she brings extensive recruiting experience and established relationships across many of the regions that make up the Conference USA footprint. She understands what it takes to build and sustain a championship program, and she'll be a tremendous asset as we continue elevating New Mexico State Softball."
Clifford brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience to NM State. Most recently, she served as an associate coach at Longwood.
Prior to her time in Farmville Va., she spent a pair of seasons at Florida Gulf Coast, where she helped guide the Eagles to 67 victories, including a 38-win campaign and an ASUN Tournament championship and NCAA tournament appearance in 2024.
While serving as FGCU's defensive coordinator, Clifford oversaw one of the conference's top defensive units. The Eagles ranked among the ASUN leaders in fielding percentage and double plays turned during each of her two seasons on staff, while also finishing near the top of the league in stolen base percentage and fewest stolen bases allowed.
Prior to her time at FGCU, Clifford spent eight seasons at Manhattan, including two years as head coach. During her tenure with the Jaspers, the program compiled a 141-118 overall record and secured the second MAAC Championship for the program in 2021, advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
A native of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., Clifford was a four-year starter at third base at Mount St. Mary's University. She graduated in 2014 as one of the Mountaineers' all-time leaders in several offensive categories and earned Second Team All-Northeast Conference honors as a senior after batting .312 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs.
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