ABILENE – Recognized as two of the South Central region's most experienced coaches, the husband-and-wife team of Debby and Teddy Abbott recently joined Abilene Christian's softball coaching staff as assistants to third-year skipper
Bobby Reeves.
Debby replaced Reeves' daughter-in-law, Ashley, as ACU's full-time assistant coach, while Teddy assumed the role of volunteer assistant coach. Ashley and her family relocated to East Texas earlier this summer.
Debby first worked with Reeves during his tenure at Texas Tech and likened her return to the coaching profession to 'putting on an old slipper.' And even though Debby hasn't worked in a collegiate dugout since 2003, she's remained close to the sport through club-team consultation as well as her husband's involvement with the Tulsa and East Central programs.
“I'm thankful that the timing of this move worked out,” Debby said. “Softball always has been a big part of my life. I first started coaching little kids when I was just a junior in high school, and it's something that I've remained passionate about. I'm very excited to be working again with Coach Reeves and look forward to building something special here at ACU.”
For Reeves, Debby was the first person he thought to hire to replace Ashley.
“I know she'll be good for ACU, not only because of her experience as a player and coach, but because we'll be working off the same page; this will be an easy transition for the both of us,” said Reeves, who led last year's team to 30 victories and a NCAA Tournament berth. “She's a great person who possesses a tremendous knowledge of the game, and is someone who has always communicated well with her players.”
Teddy and Debby have been married over 30 years and have two children, Lindsey and Kyle. Lindsey played collegiate softball for both Oklahoma and Wichita State from 2001 to 2004.
Debby also played for the Sooners and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Northeastern State University. Prior to joining Reeves at Texas Tech, Debby coached five years at Muskogee (Okla.) High School, where she led her teams to five regional championships and two Large Division 6A State Championships.
Teddy's experience as a collegiate coach includes three years as an assistant at East Central and two at Tulsa. He's also coached for more than a decade at the high school level, and has 20 years of coaching experience within the summer ball and club team circuits.
Teddy was part of this past season's ECU team that lost two of three to the Wildcats, and is excited to be on the other side of the diamond knowing how much talent is coming back to ACU.
“It's going to be a fun group to be around,” he said, “and I really think they can do a lot better than they did last year. There are no limits to what they can accomplish.”
“They set the bar real high last year and now the goal is to surpass that,” Debby added. “And when we combine our returnees with this incoming freshmen class, I wouldn't be surprised to see us in the World Series. I've met several of our players so far and I can sense a desire and excitement in the air. They're all coming in highly motivated.”
Next year's team returns its entire pitching staff of
Caitlyn Crain,
Shelby Hall and
Peyton Mosley, plus all-region outfielder
Keanna Winkfield, and Lone Star Conference Newcomer of the Year
Courtney Flanary.
ACU's 2013 campaign begins the weekend of Feb. 1 at St. Mary's.
