WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Following a national search, University of New Haven Director of Athletics Sheahon Zenger announced the hiring of Don Justus as the tenth softball coach in the 46 year history of the program. Justus comes to New Haven following a two-year stint at the University of Hartford, most recently as the interim head coach.
"We are excited to welcome Don and his family to the Charger Family," Zenger said. "He has a proven track record of team success and has shown a unique ability to develop student-athletes as leaders both on and off the field. Don's commitment to excellence, his work ethic and his experience make him a great fit for the Charger Softball program. I look forward to watching our student-athletes excel under his leadership."
"I am incredibly excited to be named the head softball coach at the University of New Haven," said Justus. "I would like to thank Dr. Sheahon Zenger as well as the entire search committee for allowing me this incredible opportunity to lead the Chargers softball program. I look forward to working with the team and continuing to carry on the winning traditions of New Haven softball."
Overall, Justus has more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience under his belt, including a stint in Division II as an assistant coach at Kutztown University. Prior to that he also spent two seasons at Iona where he oversaw a pitching staff that featured the 2009 Metro Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year and a conference leading 1.62 ERA.
Justus joined the Hawks coaching staff as an assistant prior to the 2020 campaign as Hartford got off to a 6-4 start before the season was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2021 campaign, the Hawks finished with a 6-13 overall record before Justus was asked to take over the helm of the program following the season.
At Kutztown, Justus worked alongside one of the winningest coaches in Division II history, Judy Lawes, for 10 seasons from 2010-19 during which time the Golden Bears racked up 332 victories, including a program record 52 wins (52-7) in 2012. During his time at Kutztown, the Golden Bears advanced to the NCAA Division II regionals six times.
A member of the Connecticut High School Coaches Association, the PONY Softball National Tournament's Staff and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) as a Three Star Master Coach, Justus graduated from Columbia Southern University '93 with a bachelor's degree in business sports management.
