Barrons leave unexpectedly

Maureen '97 and Richard Barron, the head softball and women's basketball coaches respectively, resigned yesterday, as Richard has accepted a coaching position at another school. Richard's new employer will be announced today during a press conference at that school.

Both coaches had distinguished tenures during their time at Princeton, leading their teams to Ivy League championships and numerous first-team All-Ivy selections.

Richard inherited a 2-25 team when he took the helm in 2001. In the 2005-06 season, Barron coached the Tigers to a league title.

The softball team has experienced even greater success, gaining entrance to the NCAA Tournament three times in the seven years Maureen guided the team.

"We met with the teams today," Richard said. "I think they were happy for us. But I think it was a little bit bittersweet. I think we're both optimistic for each other."

Richard declined to state where he is headed and would only say the job offer was "very recent."

The new position for Richard will allow Maureen to not work, giving her more time to care for the family's children. As their children grow older and get involved in more activities, the pair felt that the long hours they currently work would be difficult to maintain.

"It was a really hard decision," Maureen said. "It is a great move for Richard in basketball. We felt like we couldn't pass it up."

Maureen, who was a pitcher for the Tigers in the mid-'90s, leaves Princeton with a 196-149-1 record. She has also been a part of every Tiger team to make the NCAA playoffs either as a coach or a player.

"Coach Barron's resignation was unexpected," junior pitcher Kris Schaus said. "We all understand, but she will definitely be missed. It has been such a pleasure playing for her these last few years."

During Maureen's time as head coach, the Ivy League Player of the Year award went to Tigers twice, and Princeton athletes were three times the Ivy League Rookie of the Year and four times the league's Pitcher of the Year. In the 2005 and 2006 seasons, Maureen coached Erin Snyder '06 and Kris Schaus '08 to capture both first-team All-Ivy pitching awards.

"It's really hard to leave Princeton, it's been a special place for both of us," Maureen said.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

Richard's team set several program records for wins in a season during the 2005-06 season, going 21-7 overall and 12-2 in the Ivy League.

Individual players have also flourished under Richard's tutelage. Four Tigers, Allison Cahill '03, Maureen Lane '03, Becky Brown '06 and Meagan Cowher '08, have all joined the 1,000 point club during Richard's six years with the program.

Five players have earned various All-Ivy distinctions in the past six years, and last season, when Cowher and Brown earned first-team honors, was the first time since 1981 that two of the five first-team positions went to Princeton players.

Richard came to Princeton following a five-year stint at the Division III University of the South, compiling a 152-139 record as head coach. Maureen inherited her position in 2000 from her former head coach Cindy Cohen after spending the season as an assistant coach.

A national coaching search is currently underway for the Barrons' successors.