Samantha Whitworth is entering her second season as an Assistant Coach and Pitching Coach for the Minnesota State University Moorhead softball program. She plays an integral role in team operations, recruiting, alumni relations and community engagement.
Whitworth assists extensively with team travel, including the creation of itineraries and the completion of travel authorizations to ensure efficient and organized travel experiences for student-athletes and staff. She is also heavily involved in recruiting, with a primary focus on the Midwest region. Through intentional relationship-building and increased program visibility, she has helped MSUM establish stronger regional connections and has been instrumental in bringing in several high-level Midwest recruits for the 2026 class.
As the program’s pitching coach, Whitworth is committed to developing confident, competitive pitchers. She works closely with the head coach to design individualized pitching practice plans that address each pitcher’s specific areas for growth while continuing to push and maximize their strengths. In her first season in the role, MSUM posted a 4.85 team ERA in conference play, highlighted early in the season when Avery Steffen earned NSIC Pitcher of the Week honors during the opening week of competition.
Whitworth’s core values as a coach are honesty, genuineness, and authenticity. Her primary goal is to build confidence in the young women she coaches—both on and off the field—by fostering trust, accountability, and belief in their abilities.
In addition to her on-field responsibilities, Whitworth is fully responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of MSUM Softball alumni appreciation events. She serves as the primary point of contact for alumni, working to strengthen relationships and foster long-term engagement with the program. She also assists in planning fundraising events that directly support student-athletes by providing access to additional gear and enhanced travel opportunities.
Whitworth is passionate about community involvement and has played a key role in strengthening MSUM Softball’s connection with local organizations. Drawing from her previous support of the American Legion in Encinitas, California, she has helped encourage a growing relationship with the local VFW. She is also committed to building meaningful connections with youth in the Moorhead community and is set to take the lead on the MSUM Softball bat girl position beginning with the 2026 season.
During the summer, Whitworth continues to grow as a coach and mentor, serving as the head coach for a local 12U travel softball team. Her dedication to player development, relationship-building and program growth reflects her commitment to supporting MSUM Softball both on and off the field.
Prior to joining MSUM, Whitworth served as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Saint Katherine, where she primarily worked with pitchers. In that role, she placed a strong emphasis on mental health, confidence-building, and developing resilience on the mound and in life. As a student- athlete at Saint Katherine, Whitworth was a member of the 2021 Cal Pac Conference Championship team and was named her team’s Champion of Character in 2022.
Whitworth earned her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Saint Katherine.
