Head Coach Karin Gadberry is happy to announce Mark Mattox as the Assistant Softball Coach for the New Mexico Highlands University Cowgirls for the 2016-2017 season. “Mark has not only coached in College but also in the club and high school ranks. I have known and worked with Mark for close to 10 years, and I look forward to his abilities to help our program towards a championship”. Coach Mattox most recently spent the previous three seasons as the head coach of the American Freedom Gold El Paso. During his tenure he was able to continually place well in the top regional events throughout Colorado, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona. He was also able to develop many players into next level talent with players continuing their educations and playing careers at such schools as Liberty, Memphis, UTEP, Eastern New Mexico and several others.
Prior to joining the American Freedom Club program he spent seven years as the first assistant coach at NCAA Div. I Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, coaching hitters and outfielders. Coach Mattox helped Jaguar hitters set several school offensive records including, homeruns, triples, and slugging percentage. Southern University led the nation at the NCAA Div. I level in triples in 2009. Under his mentorship, the Jaguars reached the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament finals in 2009 and made three semifinal appearances in his seven years on the Bluff. Mattox prides himself on player development. During his tenure, he helped develop the "SWAC Player Of The Year" in 2010, back to back "SWAC Freshmen Of The Year" in 2009 and 2010, and multiple All Conference players.
Prior to making a move to the college ranks, Mattox coached at both the high school and travel club level. In his first season as a varsity assistant at Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Indiana, he help lead the Trojans to a No. 1 ranking in Indiana. The team posted a 32-1 record, losing in the state semifinal game to the eventual state champion. In his only other high school stop, Coach Mattox took the helm at Speedway High School in Speedway, Indiana, where he turned around a program that had never finished above .500 to a No. 2 state ranking. Coach Mattox also enjoyed success at the club level, serving as founder and assistant coach of the Indiana Storm based in Fishers, Indiana. The club made 11 straight national tournament appearances and helped 108 of 121 players receive financial assistance through softball to further their educations. In 2005, Coach Mattox and Lorenzo Walker joined forces to lead the Indy Crush program. In season one, their 18u team finished in 7th place at the ASA 18u "A" National Championships, helping pave the way for future success of the Indy Crush program, including a 2011 ASA 18u "A" National Championship.
Mattox attended Franklin College and received a bachelor's degree in sociology from the distant learning program at Redding College . He also worked as a private instructor in El Paso. Mark resides in Las Vegas, NM and has 3 children: Destiny (21) Gabrielle (11) and Patrick (6).
