WEST PLAINS, MO. – McKenzie McCullen has joined the Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Softball coaching staff as the assistant coach for the 2025-26 season.
McCullen comes to MSU-WP after serving as a graduate assistant at D’Youville University, where she primarily worked with the pitching staff and played a key role in player development. She also served as director of softball operations and game operations assistant at Appalachian State University, gaining valuable experience in program management and operations.
As a player, McCullen competed two seasons at Appalachian State (2021-23) after transferring from Queens University of Charlotte, where she played from 2018-2021.
At Appalachian State, she made an immediate impact, starting 52 games in 2022 and finishing second on the team with 36 RBIs while posting a .500 slugging percentage and .901 OPS. At Queens, she earned second-team all-conference honors, leading her team in nearly every offensive category in 2019, including batting average (.375), RBIs (26) and home runs (8).
Originally from Durham, North Carolina, McCullen was a decorated high school athlete, earning softball player of the year honors in 2016, along with all-state, all-conference and all-district selections. She also excelled academically as a scholar athlete and National Honor Society member.
McCullen holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in health studies from Appalachian State and is currently completing her master’s degree in business administration.
Grizzly Softball Head Coach Aubrie Brooks said McCullen’s background as a collegiate athlete, combined with her coaching and operations experience, will make her an invaluable member of the program.
For more information about the Grizzly Softball program, visit MSUWPGrizzlies.com
