Marissa Young is an American softball coach who has served as the head softball coach at Duke University since 2016. She was the 2003 Big Ten Player of the Year while pitching for the University of Michigan. Shortly before joining Duke, Young was an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina.
Since Marissa took on the role of head softball coach at Duke University on July 29, 2015, she has been a significant influence on the Duke softball program. Over the past seven years, Young has led the team to a commendable 165-85 record, cementing her reputation as a competent and dedicated coach.
Early life
Marissa Veronica Young was born on August 30, 1981. Her father, Robert Young, is a well-known, longtime club coach for the Firecracker organization in California – he is an assistant on both collegiate and club teams. There is no prior information about her parents or siblings.
Marissa Young Career
Young continued to build on that success in subsequent seasons. In 2018, the team demonstrated its resilience by securing four series wins in conference play, including a win over Boston College in the first ACC home series in program history.
Duke’s softball program has been making waves since its inception in 2018. Young’s team immediately made a name for themselves, securing their first-ever win against Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton, Fla. The following week, the Blue Devils caused quite a stir in their first home games at Duke Softball Stadium by defeating Penn State and Purdue in the 2018 ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Impressive victories in the away series against Notre Dame and Virginia Tech followed. Ultimately, Duke closed the ACC roster with another win, this time against Virginia, beating preseason predictions that had placed them bottom of the league.
Young wasn’t afraid to challenge her team with a tough schedule outside of the conference, putting them up against tough opponents like Notre Dame and Liberty in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge. The team showcased their skills at various tournaments including the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in California and the Duke Invitational.
During her debut season in 2019, Young led the team to a respectable 25-31 record. The Blue Devils showed their skills in the ACC tournament and finished sixth in the league with a record of 11-13.
Despite the 2020 season being cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Young’s roster showed great potential, earning the best start in program history with a remarkable 23-4 record. The team’s impressive performance earned them a spot in the most recent ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 poll, where they placed 25th.
Rise to Fame
One of the standout moments under Young’s leadership came in the historic 2021 season. The Blue Devils had an exceptional season, finishing with a remarkable 44-12 record. This outstanding performance led to Duke clinching its first-ever ACC championship title and earning the No. 13 national seeding in its first NCAA appearance.
Throughout the season, the Blue Devils consistently maintained their position in the national polls, a testament to their consistent excellence. With four All-ACC and three All-Region selections, the team also received individual recognition. Notably, Junior Deja Davis became Duke’s first All-American in program history and earned All-America Second Team honors.
It was a significant milestone when Duke made the national polls for the first time in the show’s history. Marissa Young’s tenure as Duke Softball’s head coach has been one of steady growth and success.
Under her stewardship, the program has enjoyed unprecedented success, including conference championships, national rankings, and individual awards. With each passing season, Young’s influence on the team becomes more apparent, and the future looks bright for Duke Softball.
Marissa Young Biography | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Marissa Veronica Young |
| birth date | Aug. 30, 1981 |
| Age | 43 years |
| Place of birth | Santa Ana, California, United States |
| Profession | softball coach |
| University | – |
| qualification | graduate |
Physical Statistics | |
| Height | in feet inches – 5 feet 6 inches – in centimeters – 168 cm |
| Weight | in kilograms – 58kg – in pounds – 127 pounds |
| Hair color | Black |
| eye color | Black |
Marissa Young Family | |
| Father | – |
| Mother | – |
| Sister | – |
| Brother | – |
relationship status | |
| Marital status | Married |
| affair | NO |
| is she a lesbian? | NO |
| Who is Marissa Young’s husband? | James Lamar |
| Children | Four (Braylon, Layla, Jolyna and Kayden) |
Personal life
Duke head coach Marissa Young is married to head coach James Lamar. Her husband, James, is the founder of the local softball training program Lady Dukes Softball in Durham, NC. The couple is blessed with three children from this marriage: Layla, Jolyna, and Kayden. However, there is no information about when they first met.
Marissa Young Net Worth/Contract
Marissa Young has made an impressive impact since taking over the leadership of Duke University’s softball program in 2015. Young’s coaching career at Duke University was marked by exceptional performance and a commitment to success. Duke management extended her contract in 2021 through the 2026 season. However, precise information on numbers or salaries is not yet available.
Facts About Marissa Young
- Young spent the previous two years across the street in North Carolina, where her primary role was teaching the pitchers and catchers. She was then selected to build the Duke softball program.
- Outside of softball, Young has a variety of interests and hobbies that she enjoys pursuing in her free time, such as hiking, painting, and playing musical instruments.
- Young places a high priority on creating a positive team culture and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where players feel valued and motivated.
- Young is known for her dedication to player development, focusing not only on her athletic ability but also on her personal growth and academic success.