WORCESTER, Mass.­ – Holy Cross has named Kimberly Stiles its new head coach of the softball program, as announced by Director of Athletics Marcus Blossom. Stiles, who is the 10th head coach in program history, owns a career record of 275-232 and has posted a winning mark in each of her last six seasons. 

"I could not be more excited to take over the softball program," said Stiles. "I want to thank Marcus Blossom, Jihad Ali and Rosemary Shea for this incredible opportunity. I am looking forward to being a part of something truly special at Holy Cross. I cannot wait to get to campus and out on the softball field with the student-athletes."

"Kimberly Stiles will be an exceptional leader for our softball student-athletes," said Blossom. "She will energize our team with her thoughtful and passionate approach to both on-field development and overall personal growth. I would like to thank Jihad Ali and Rosemary Shea for their assistance during this process."

For the last five years, Stiles served as the head coach at the University of Charleston, posting an overall mark of 141-83. During the 2021 campaign, the Golden Eagles went 30-14 overall with a 23-9 mark in the Mountain East Conference. Stiles had four players earn first team All-Mountain East honors, with two making the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Atlantic Region squad.

Previously in 2020, Stiles' team had the best start in program history at 14-2 and was ranked 23rd in the nation, before the remainder of the season was canceled due to COVID-19. In 2019, the Golden Eagles went 33-21 overall and 21-11 in the Mountain East Conference, with two selections to the All-Mountain East first team and the All-Region team.

In 2018, Charleston went 27-25 on the season, posting a 12-20 MEC record. During Stiles' first season with the Golden Eagles in 2017, the team went 37-21 with five All-Conference honorees, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Prior to her time at Charleston, Stiles spent six years as the head coach at Davis & Elkins College from 2011-2016. She posted a 33-21 mark in 2016 and won at least 20 games in four of her six seasons at the helm of the program. Stiles also served Davis & Elkins in additional administrative roles, acting as the Assistant Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator.

Previously, Stiles was an assistant coach at Midwestern State University from 2008-2010. During the 2010 campaign, she helped the Mustangs to an overall record of 54-10, with the team winning the Lone Star Conference regular season title and finishing as the NCAA Division II South Central Regional runner up. Stiles and the rest of the softball staff at Midwestern State were named South Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

A native of Thurmont, Md., Stiles played one year at the University of Vermont before transferring to the University of Pittsburgh for her final three seasons. She was a two-time Big East Academic All-Star selection for the Panthers, and earned NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors for the Catamounts.

Stiles earned her bachelor's degree in communication and political science from Pittsburgh in 2007, then received her master's degree in kinesiology and athletic administration from Midwestern State in 2009.