Upcoming Event: Softball versus Charlotte on October 4, 2025 at 1 p.m.
/
1 p.m.
Softball
vs Charlotte
Wright Returns to Durham as Assistant Coach
8/28/2025 12:00:00 PM | Softball
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke softball head coach Marissa Young announced the hiring of former standout pitcher Jala Wright as an assistant coach to the Blue Devils' staff.
"I'm thrilled to welcome Jala Wright to our coaching staff this season," said Young. "Her Women's College World Series experience—both as a player and a coach—paired with her current professional playing career brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge. Most importantly, her passion and love for this program as an alum are unmatched. I couldn't think of a better fit to return, represent our program and invest in our pitching staff this upcoming season. I'm excited to work alongside Jala and support her growth as she enters the next phase of her coaching career. It's a great opportunity to mentor her as she continues to develop. It's truly a dream come true to have two of my former players now on staff. Watching them grow into strong leaders and now getting to work alongside them is incredibly special."
Wright returns to Durham after spending one year as a graduate assistant at Tennessee. She was part of the staff that helped guide the Lady Vols to a 47-17 overall record and make their ninth Women's College World Series appearance, advancing to the semifinal game against No. 6 Texas.
"This is truly a full circle moment for me," Wright said. "It's time to give back to the program that gave so much to me. Duke…I'm home!"
In her final season with the Blue Devils, Wright held a 19-3 record after 34 appearances in the circle. She finished with a 1.50 ERA, which ranked 16th nationally, and registered 189 strikeouts in 154.1 innings. The Charlotte, N.C., native owns the program's single-game record with 17 strikeouts against Boston College in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament. She closed her collegiate career with 449 strikeouts to her name in 420.0 career innings of work.
In 2024, Wright was unanimously voted ACC Pitcher of the Year and was selected as the ACC Tournament MVP, joining Peyton St. George as the only Blue Devils to receive the honor. She also garnered All-America honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), SoftballAmerica and D1Softball.
She was instrumental in Duke's success during the 2024 campaign, helping the team capture its second ACC Championship and make its third straight NCAA Super Regional appearance, ultimately advancing to the Women's College World Series for the first time in program history.
Wright's accomplishments in the classroom include being named a 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American and a four-time NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete selection. She was named to the All-ACC Academic Team and ACC Academic Honor Roll in each of her three seasons with the Blue Devils.
She was also a member of the United Black Athletes, Purpose4Living and a community service liaison for Team Impact. She also worked as a mentor for the Chasing Greatness Mentorship Program and participated in the Rubenstein-Bing Civic Engagement Program (ACE), completing a three-week service opportunity in Costa Rica in 2023.
The 2024 Duke graduate turned in a 3.744 grade-point average and earned a degree in sociology along with a minor in journalism and media studies.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL"
#GoDuke
"I'm thrilled to welcome Jala Wright to our coaching staff this season," said Young. "Her Women's College World Series experience—both as a player and a coach—paired with her current professional playing career brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge. Most importantly, her passion and love for this program as an alum are unmatched. I couldn't think of a better fit to return, represent our program and invest in our pitching staff this upcoming season. I'm excited to work alongside Jala and support her growth as she enters the next phase of her coaching career. It's a great opportunity to mentor her as she continues to develop. It's truly a dream come true to have two of my former players now on staff. Watching them grow into strong leaders and now getting to work alongside them is incredibly special."
Wright returns to Durham after spending one year as a graduate assistant at Tennessee. She was part of the staff that helped guide the Lady Vols to a 47-17 overall record and make their ninth Women's College World Series appearance, advancing to the semifinal game against No. 6 Texas.
"This is truly a full circle moment for me," Wright said. "It's time to give back to the program that gave so much to me. Duke…I'm home!"
In her final season with the Blue Devils, Wright held a 19-3 record after 34 appearances in the circle. She finished with a 1.50 ERA, which ranked 16th nationally, and registered 189 strikeouts in 154.1 innings. The Charlotte, N.C., native owns the program's single-game record with 17 strikeouts against Boston College in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament. She closed her collegiate career with 449 strikeouts to her name in 420.0 career innings of work.
In 2024, Wright was unanimously voted ACC Pitcher of the Year and was selected as the ACC Tournament MVP, joining Peyton St. George as the only Blue Devils to receive the honor. She also garnered All-America honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), SoftballAmerica and D1Softball.
She was instrumental in Duke's success during the 2024 campaign, helping the team capture its second ACC Championship and make its third straight NCAA Super Regional appearance, ultimately advancing to the Women's College World Series for the first time in program history.
Wright's accomplishments in the classroom include being named a 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American and a four-time NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete selection. She was named to the All-ACC Academic Team and ACC Academic Honor Roll in each of her three seasons with the Blue Devils.
She was also a member of the United Black Athletes, Purpose4Living and a community service liaison for Team Impact. She also worked as a mentor for the Chasing Greatness Mentorship Program and participated in the Rubenstein-Bing Civic Engagement Program (ACE), completing a three-week service opportunity in Costa Rica in 2023.
The 2024 Duke graduate turned in a 3.744 grade-point average and earned a degree in sociology along with a minor in journalism and media studies.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL"
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
P
/ SoftballDurham Softball Regional Day Two Presser
Saturday, May 17
Durham Softball Regional Game One Post Game Presser
Friday, May 16
Absolute Domination Over #2 Florida Gators - Duke Softball
Wednesday, March 19
ABSOLUTELY INSANE CATCH! NUMBER ONE PLAY ON SPORTSCENTER! #goduke #softball #ncaasoftball #espn
Thursday, March 13
