Florida softball adds former standout Francesca Enea to coaching staff

Florida Gators softball head coach Tim Walton added a familiar face to his coaching staff this week, as the team announced Monday that former All-American player Francesca Enea will be joining the Gators’ coaching staff.

“I am beyond excited to add Francesca to our coaching staff,” Walton said in a statement. “Francesca is a very talented individual and is going to be such a great addition to our staff. She is such a special person to me and my family and I sincerely look forward to her starting her coaching career here back in Gainesville. I welcome back Francesca, her husband Christian, and their two children Sage and Niko.”

Enea was extremely accomplished as a player for the Gators with her name plastered all over the program’s record books. During her time in Gainesville, she became the school’s all-time leader in home runs, RBIs, and total bases, also holding the SEC’s all-time home run record.

Her accomplishments include three-time NFCA All-American honors, two time All-SEC honors, an All-SEC Freshman Team selection in 2007, and a Women’s College World Series All-Tournament Team selection the following season in 2008.

During her playing career between 2007 and 2010, she helped lead the Gators to three straight Women’s College World Series appearances, consistently playing stellar in the postseason.

“First, I’d like to thank Coach Walton for this opportunity and welcoming me back to Gator Nation,” Enea said. “Choosing to play softball at the University of Florida for Coach Walton was one of the best decisions of my life. I look forward to returning and continuing the tradition of winning championships at the best university in the world, while helping our student-athletes achieve their dreams on and off the field.”

Enea graduated from Florida in 2010 with a degree in Family Youth and Community Science and continued her playing career following her time with the Gators. She competed professionally with the USSSA Pride from 2010-2013, competing at the highest level of the sport both at the collegiate and professional levels.

Enea’s return to the program follows a 12-year run as a softball analyst, broadcasting for numerous conferences including the SEC along with seven years of NCAA Regional coverage in the postseason. And between her experience playing the game for the Gators and her expertise gained through her broadcasting career, she brings a lot to the table for Florida heading into her coaching debut.