Maryville, Mo., native Hallie Blackney was named an assistant coach at USD in June of 2013. Blackney made her way to Vermillion after spending one season as an assistant coach for the Fort Wayne Mastodons in Indiana.
South Dakota went 29-22 overall and finished third in The Summit League with a 9-8 record during Blackney's first season at USD. In year two, the Coyotes added 28 wins, boasted a 13-4 record in the Summit League and were the runner-ups at the Summit League Tournament. Eight Coyotes have earned all-Summit League honors during Blackney’s two seasons including three two-time honorees.
Blackney works mainly with the hitters and to the tune of much success. South Dakota set a Summit League record last season by blasting 77 home runs, which ranked 17th nationally. The Coyotes also ranked second in the nation in doubles with 107 and were 15th in slugging percentage.
Blackney was an all-conference utility player at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., where she earned her bachelor's degree in exercise science-biomechanics. She completed an internship with Ehren Earleywine and the University of Missouri softball program in the summer of 2008 where she helped with recruiting and assisted with the Tigers' summer camps.
Blackney was a graduate assistant at Bemidji State University in Minnesota for two years. From there, she served as an assistant at Southeast Missouri State University before making her way to Indiana. At Fort Wayne, she directed all infield and outfield practices, oversaw student-athlete academics and organized scouting reports.
