ADA, Okla. – East Central University Athletics and Athletic Director Matt Cole are excited to announce the hiring of Autumn Wyatt as the third head coach in Tiger softball history. A proud ECU alumna and former standout student-athlete, Wyatt returns to Ada to lead the program she helped build from 2013 to 2016.
"We are thrilled to welcome Autumn Wyatt back to East Central as the new head coach of Tiger softball," said Cole. "Autumn was not only an exceptional player during her time at ECU, but she has since developed into an outstanding coach. As Tiger softball enters a new era, we look forward to this exciting time in program history."
Wyatt brings a strong resume of coaching success to the Tigers. Over the past four seasons, she served as the head coach at National Park College (NPC), becoming the second coach in program history when she took over the helm in 2021. In her first head coaching role, she guided the Nighthawks to a 121-89 overall record and a 67-35 mark in conference play, while developing 17 NJCAA Division II All-Region selections. The 2024-25 season was a historic one, as NPC matched its single-season wins record with 34 victories, a mark first achieved in 2022-23. Wyatt's tenure was also highlighted by four NJCAA All-Academic Team Awards, a Region II Coach of the Year honor in 2022, a Region II Tournament runner-up finish in 2023, and a Southwest Plains District Tournament runner-up finish in 2024.
"I want to thank Athletic Director Matt Cole and the rest of the search committee for the opportunity to return home to ECU," expressed Wyatt. "I'm honored and excited to pour my love and passion back into the program and University I once called home. It's a privilege to return to my alma mater, and I look forward to the bright future ahead for Tiger softball."
Prior to leading the Nighthawks, Wyatt had a brief stint as an assistant coach at fellow Great American Conference (GAC) member, the University of Arkansas at Monticello, during the summer of 2021.
Before her time at UAM, she first returned to East Central University in 2019, where she served for two years as Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Academics. In that role, she oversaw initial, continuing, and transfer eligibility certifications, managed the athletic scholarship budget, monitored recruiting activities and visits, and provided rules education to coaches, staff, and student-athletes.
Earlier in 2019, Wyatt held her first assistant coaching position at Franklin Pierce University, where she helped three players earn All-Northeast-10 Conference honors. She played a key role in improving the team's offensive metrics, including walks, strikeouts, home runs, and stolen bases, while leading instruction for the outfield, hitting, and base running.
Wyatt began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Southern Arkansas University, another GAC member, where she spent two seasons focusing on hitting and outfield development. During her tenure, the Muleriders made back-to-back NCAA Championship appearances, including a run to the national semifinals in 2018. That same season, the coaching staff was named the NFCA Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year. Her lineups also produced the GAC Player of the Year in both of her seasons.
As a student-athlete, Wyatt—formerly Autumn Suydam—was a four-year starter at ECU and a cornerstone of the Tigers' success. She helped lead the team to its first GAC Championship in 2015, batting .423 with 63 hits and 20 RBIs. Her career accolades include two NFCA All-Central Region selections, three consecutive All-GAC honors, and three GAC All-Tournament Team nods.
Equally accomplished in the classroom, Wyatt was a two-time Academic All-American and earned multiple academic honors, including ECU Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, GAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and D2 CCA Central Region Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from East Central University in 2016, followed by a Master of Science in Kinesiology from Southern Arkansas University in 2018.
Autumn and her husband, Marc, have one son, Hudson.