JACKSONVILLE – After 31 illustrious years as the head coach of Jacksonville State's softball team,
Jana McGinnis has announced her retirement. Coach McGinnis, who has led the Gamecocks to numerous victories and has been a cornerstone of the athletic department, is stepping down to devote more time to her family.
Under McGinnis's leadership, the Gamecocks achieved remarkable success, including 18 conference championships, nine NCAA tournament appearances and an NCAA Super Regional Appearance. Her tenure has been marked by a commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, fostering a culture of hard work, integrity and family.
"My family has always been the biggest supporters of my career and our program," McGinnis said. "They have made countless sacrifices that have allowed me to live the dream of building our program into something that everyone affiliated with Jax State could be proud of. The time has come for me to return the favor and devote my time and focus to my family."
She retires with a 1,038-607 career record and the all-time 30th-most wins among Division I coaches. Those 1,038 wins are the eighth-most all-time by a Division I coach at the same institution and give her more games won than any coach in Jax State's athletics history. In 2023, Jax State President Dr. Don Killingsworth announced that Jax State's softball home would forever be named
Jana McGinnis Field.
"Coach McGinnis has been an integral part of Jax State's athletic success and has positively impacted countless student-athletes' lives," Jax State President Dr. Don Killingsworth, Jr. said. "Her legacy, integrity, and winning attitude make her one of the best coaches ever. She truly represents what it means to be a Gamecock, and her legacy will endure for many years to come."
After a career of accolades that couldn't be condensed into a few words, McGinnis put so much emphasis on thanking all of those she deemed more vital to her program's success than she would give herself credit for.
"There are so many people that I'm grateful for over my 31-year career at Jacksonville State that there is no way that I could name them all," She said in a letter to the program. "I want to thank my husband, Russ, and daughters, Payton and Kinsey. You were always supportive, and you were our biggest fans," McGinnis continued. "I also want to thank all of my assistant coaches - especially my current staff of
Julie Boland,
Hayley Sims,
Holli Mitchell, and
Garrett Skelton - who have tirelessly and selflessly worked so hard to raise this program to the level that it is today. Head coaches of 31 years can rarely say they have only had six assistant coaches. I will forever be grateful to coach Boland, who has been with me for over 20-plus years as an assistant and player. Her loyalty, dedication, and love for this program are unquestionable."
McGinnis also expressed her gratitude to the players and staff who have been part of her journey: "Lastly, I want to thank every young woman who wore the Gamecock jersey! You are the reason that I coach and the reason that I retire with so much peace, pride, and joyful memories. You have made this program what it is and have given me the pleasure of leading you. I am so proud of how you continue representing this program in your successful lives today."
McGinnis's ties to Jax State go back to her collegiate days when she was a two-time All-Gulf South Conference guard in basketball. She still holds the school's career and single-season assists records. After graduating in 1991, she began her coaching career at Cherokee County High School and won a state title in 1993.
She returned to Jax State in 1994 as the head coach of the softball team, a program that was transitioning from slow pitch to fast pitch. She took the job and ran with it, winning the Trans America Athletic Conference title in her third season and advanced to the 1996 NCAA Regional. After returning home, she remained for the next 31 seasons, taking Jax State to the NCAA Regionals eight more times, advancing to the regional championship game four times and winning the 2009 Knoxville Regional.
"Jana's dedication, passion, and leadership have set a high standard not just for our softball program but for everyone affiliated with Jax State Athletics," Athletics Director Greg Seitz said. "While maintaining a culture that many have emulated and making what seemed like unattainable heights a reality as our softball coach, she has been a mentor, a friend, and a true ambassador for our university. We wish her all the best in her retirement."
"It is the people who make this home special," McGinnis added. "The staff in the athletic department made this job a success. It took all of them to help us every day. The people of this athletic department are not just coworkers but friends that I will forever be grateful to! I hope you always knew how valuable you were to me and this program! It is you all who work tirelessly in the background without praise."
McGinnis spent most of her career in the Ohio Valley Conference, where she won either the regular season or tournament championship in 11 of her 17 seasons in the OVC and won both in the same season three times, including back-to-back years in 2016 and 2017. The most decorated coach in conference history, she was named the OVC Coach of the Year a conference-record six times - in the 2005, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2016 and 2017 seasons. She boasts OVC regular season crowns in 2005, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019 and OVC Tourney Championships and automatic NCAA appearances in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
