Alabama softball alum Kayla Braud joins program as assistant coach

Patrick Murphy had an open assistant job on his staff and decided to bring back a familiar face. Former national champion and three-time All-American Kayla Braud will be heading back to Tuscaloosa to become an assistant coach for Alabama. The Crimson Tide announced the move on Tuesday afternoon,

Braud last played in 2013 before moving into the media side of sports. She was a softball analyst for ESPN while also appearing on the Seattle Mariners broadcast for ROOT Sports. Now, Braud will dip her toe into the coaching world and will be a part of Team 28.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank Coach Murphy for this new opportunity for me and my family,” Braud said in a statement. “After 10 years away from Tuscaloosa we are excited to come back home. I am filled with so much pride to be the newest assistant coach at Alabama Softball. I will never be able to fill the shoes of Alyson Habetz, but my gratitude for all she did for this program will be in my heart as I work to impact the lives of the women that wear the “A”.

“As a coach I will bring my competitiveness and winning spirit to the field every single day. Having been part of the 2012 National Championship team, I know what it takes to win at this level and will do everything I can to ensure that the winning tradition of Bama U not only continues but thrives into the future.”

When looking at the Alabama softball record book, you will find Braud’s name everywhere. The single-season batting average record still belongs to her, hitting an incredible .505 during his true freshman season — coming in 2010. Her senior year BA is second all-time, coming in at .471.

For Murphy, Braud agreeing on the coaching staff means she will “say yes” to Alabama for the second time in her career. He believes it speaks to the relationship people inside the program have, even when stepping away for nearly a decade.

“I am so happy to announce that Kayla is coming home to Tuscaloosa,” Murphy said in a statement. “First and foremost, she is a great human who will be an outstanding role model for our student-athletes. We will support Kayla, her husband David and daughter Dylan as best as we can during their transition to UA. To have a former player say yes to Alabama twice in her career means a lot to me. 

“We tell every young lady who enters the Rhoads House that this is a long-term relationship that extends far past their playing days. Our current staff can’t wait to start working with Kayla. I know our players will absolutely love her competitiveness and her ability to relate to their experiences on and off the field.”