Northwood Softball Promotes Brittney Horan To Head Coach

MIDLAND, MICH. – Northwood University Athletics has announced the appointment of Brittney Horan as the next head coach of the Northwood softball program.

Horan becomes the ninth head coach in program history after serving the past seven seasons on the Timberwolves coaching staff, including the last five as Associate Head Coach.

"We are super excited for Coach Horan," said Athletic Director Jeff Curtis. "This decision was an easy one because she has already made a tremendous impact on the program, and I know that success will continue under her leadership. She understands Northwood, represents our department the right way, and will continue to lead."

Since joining Gregg Sauve's staff in the summer of 2019, Horan has helped guide the Timberwolves through one of the most successful stretches in program history. During her time on staff, Northwood compiled 188 victories, earned two NCAA Tournament appearances (2021 and 2024), won the 2024 G-MAC Tournament Championship, and produced 18 All-Conference and seven All-Region honorees.

Coach Horan looks forward to the next chapter of Northwood Softball. "I want to thank Jeff Curtis for entrusting me to lead this program into the future. When I stepped on campus almost seven years ago, I knew right away this place was special because of the people. I continue to believe that to this day, and there is nowhere else I would rather be.  

I am forever grateful for Gregg Sauve giving me the opportunity to be a part of this program. He has built a program that is competitive not only at the regional level but also at the national level. Not many people can say they got to work with their best friend, and I get to say that. I will always cherish our time working together and wish him the best in retirement. 

As head coach, my goal is to challenge our players to compete at a high level while also developing confidence, discipline, leadership, and resilience. Success is measured not only in wins and losses, but in the relationships built, the standards we uphold, and the growth of every athlete who wears this uniform."

Before arriving at Northwood, Horan spent nine seasons at Central Michigan University as both a player and coach. She served five seasons as an assistant coach under longtime Head Coach Margo Jonker, working primarily with hitters, infield defense, and base running while also serving as the program's academic coordinator.

During her final two seasons on the Chippewas coaching staff, Central Michigan produced seven All-MAC selections, a MAC Freshman of the Year honoree, and four All-Region players.

As a student-athlete, Horan was a four-year letter winner for the Chippewas and earned MAC All-Freshman Team honors in 2011. She helped Central Michigan win the 2013 MAC Tournament Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament while tying for the team lead in RBIs that season.

A native of Rosebush, Michigan, and graduate of Mount Pleasant High School, Horan earned her bachelor's degree in sport management from Central Michigan in 2014 before completing her master's degree in sports administration in 2018.

Horan takes over a Northwood program coming off nine consecutive winning seasons and fresh off one of the most successful eras in school history.