Jacksonville State University Athletics

Mark Wisener begins his 21st season as the Gamecocks’ assistant softball coach, where his energy and efforts toward the JSU program have added to the success the Gamecocks have seen in the past 20 years.
 
In 20 seasons as a full-time assistant, he has helped JSU to an overall record of 410-274, including five OVC regular season titles, five OVC Tournament crowns and six trips to the NCAA Tournament in the past nine years and a berth in the 2009 Super Regionals.
 
Wisener's duties have steadily increased over the time he has been at JSU. His primary job is the capacity of pitching coach, but he also works as a hitting coach and has the "final word" before the batter steps up to the plate. Finally, he schedules and oversees the team workouts and is a key in the recruiting process for the Gamecocks.
 
As the Gamecocks’ pitching coach, he has coached six conference Pitchers of the Year in Ann Shelton (1996 TAAC Player of the Year), Carly Kellam (2005 OVC Pitcher of the Year), Ashley Eliasson (2008 OVC Pitcher of the Year), Karla Pittman (2009 OVC Pitcher of the Year), Tiffany Harbin (2014 OVC Pitcher of the Year) and Whitney Gillespie (2016 OVC Pitcher of the Year).
 
Wisener provides the Gamecocks and head coach Jana McGinnis with what they feel is the perfect fit to keep them competitive on what is a difficult recruiting trail.
 
"It takes a special personality to work with female athletes," McGinnis said. "Coach Wisener's sister and I are best friends, so I have known him for a long time. I trust him tremendously, and we work well together. He has a great knowledge of the game and I owe so much of our success to him."
 
The McGinnis-Wisener relationship, one that has brought unprecedented success to JSU, began in McGinnis’ playing days on the JSU basketball team, where she was a teammate of Wisener’s sister, Robbie.
 
Wisener was a standout baseball player at Arab High School, starting all four years at shortstop and pitcher on the varsity team. As a senior, he helped his team advance to the second round of the Alabama High School All-Stars Tournament.
 
After graduating in 1989, Wisener went on to play at Snead State, where he started every game of his two-year career and was a Junior College All-Star.
 
In 1992, Wisener left the playing field and transferred to JSU, where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems in the summer of 1996.
 
"Mark has been very instrumental in the success of this program," McGinnis added. "To have a good program, it is a must that you have a dedicated and loyal assistant. We have a great relationship and have the same goals in mind for JSU softball. We are very lucky to have him at this university."
 
Wisener is married to the former Lynne Scott. Lynne played softball at JSU from 1991-93, when she played second base and pitched for the Gamecocks. They have a son, Jake, and a daughter, Kacie.