Brittany Henning named head softball coach at Newman

Newman Athletics announced Brittany Henning as the next head softball coach on Monday, June 2.

Henning said, “I am truly honored and excited to accept the position of head softball coach at Newman University. This opportunity is a blessing, and I’m grateful to be joining an institution that aligns so closely with my personal values, especially the importance of faith, integrity and community.”

This will be Henning’s second stint with the Jets; she served as an assistant coach in spring 2023.

Henning is no stranger to player development. Since 2020, Henning has served as the general manager of Hoover Field, an indoor training facility in Wichita. Henning has also been a private instructor for more than 10 years and is a head coach for the softball club, Tulsa Elite 316.

Henning was a player for the University of Mississippi.

“I believe that coaching goes beyond the field — it’s about shaping strong, confident women grounded in character, discipline and purpose,” she said. “I look forward to creating a program that not only competes at a high level but also nurtures spiritual growth and academic excellence. I can’t wait to get started and am humbled to begin this journey with the Newman family.”

Henning currently resides in the Wichita area with her husband, PJ, and children, Joseph, Maison and Rory. Henning is a parishioner at St. Joseph Ost Catholic Church.

Collegiate career

Henning began her collegiate career at The University of Oklahoma and played 12 games with four starts in the circle. Henning and the Sooners won the 2016 Women’s College World Series. She transferred from Oklahoma to University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) where she finished her career. With the Rebels, she was part of three NCAA regional appearances and two NCAA super regional appearances.

Henning was also a part of the 2017 Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament championship team, as well as two record-breaking seasons at Ole Miss. While at Ole Miss, Henning held a record of 27-13 in the circle with a career 2.60 earned run average (ERA), 14 complete games and 195 strikeouts. As a hitter, she had 20 career doubles and 18 home runs with a .324 on-base percentage.

Following her collegiate career, Henning signed a professional contract with Scrap Yard Fast Pitch, a professional independent women’s softball team based in Conroe, Texas.

High school honors

In high school, Henning earned four letters in softball. In 2015, was named the Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year. Henning finished her career as the state’s all-time leader with 38 home runs.

After starting at Maize High School, Henning transferred to Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in January 2014, where she was part of the team that won state championships consecutively. As a senior, Henning hit .774 with 17 home runs, 54 runs batted in (RBI), 13 doubles, three triples, 35 runs scored, 25 walks, a .846 on-base percentage and a 1.903 slugging mark.

In the circle, Henning went 14-1 with a 0.30 ERA in 70 innings of work and struck out 112 with only eight walks and 20 hits. In 25 games as a junior, she posted a 0.32 ERA and 12-0 record with 83 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched and hit .579 with 37 runs scored, 40 RBI and 12 home runs.

Playing Accolades

College

Signed a professional contract with Scrap Yard Fast Pitch
2019 SEC Spring Honor Roll
2018 SEC Spring Honor Roll

High School

2015 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year
StudentSports.com First-Team All-American and MaxPreps Second-Team All-American in 2013-14
No. 13 player in the nation by StudentSports.com in October 2014
All-state first team and Greater Wichita Athletic League First Team in 2013-14
Wichita Eagle All-Metro Team in 2012-14
Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div I First-Team All-League honoree, second-team all-state in 2012-13
First Team All-North Central Kansas League and first-team all-state in 2011-12
Earned three letters in volleyball where she was twice named all-league by the NCKL and AVCTL and was honorable mention by the GWAL
4.0 honor roll for her entire high school career