Brian Claypool Appointed Head Softball Coach

PAXTON, MA - Brian Claypool has been appointed Head Coach of the Anna Maria College Softball team for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Claypool will oversee the comprehensive management of the program, providing leadership and direction for all phases of Anna Maria softball moving forward.

 

Brian brings over 20 years of collegiate softball coaching experience to Anna Maria, including a nine-year tenure as Head Coach at the College of the Holy Cross and, most recently, a four-year role as Assistant Coach for Hitting and Data Analytics at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Additionally, Brian has coached at the College of Wooster, Springfield College, Rhode Island College, Hartwick College, and MCLA, where he led the Trailblazers to a MASCAC Championship game in 2003, earning MASCAC Coach of the Year along the way. 

 

In addition to his individual success as a coach, Brian emphasizes the importance of a student-athlete's commitment to improving both on and off the field. Executive Director of Athletics David McCauley had only positive things to say about the new hire, "Brian's experience throughout his career is evident. At Holy Cross, he led the team to its first Patriot League tournament appearance in years on the way to being named the Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2011. In addition, he has a history of his student-athletes earning academic honors, with 90 players making the All-Patriot League Academic Honor Roll during his tenure as a Crusader. We have made a commitment to our softball program, and we are excited to have a coach of Brian's caliber lead our program into its next chapter."

 

Claypool echoed the sentiment, highlighting his "player first" approach to coaching. "I believe in building a team culture rooted in trust, effort, and shared purpose—where family, education, and athletic excellence serve as the foundation. My coaching approach is player-focused and development-driven, combining meaningful personal connections with modern tools, such as video and analytics, to help athletes grow. Ultimately, I strive to help each student-athlete become a confident competitor, a strong teammate, and a well-rounded leader."

 

The former MASCAC Coach of the Year is ready to return to the challenge of being a head coach at the collegiate level, looking to leave his mark on the Anna Maria softball program in numerous ways, stating, "My goal is to build a program that our student-athletes, alumni, and the Anna Maria community can be proud of—one that emphasizes accountability, resilience, and continuous improvement."

 

 

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