Highland Community College athletic director Jerre Cole has announced the hiring of Samantha Moran as the head softball coach. Moran returns to HCC where her collegiate playing career began.
 
"I am very excited to welcome Samantha back to HCC as the new head softball coach of the Scotties," said Cole. "Her passion, leadership abilities and knowledge of the sport made her a very desirable candidate. I am excited to see her work with and develop our student-athletes, connect with our supportive alumni and put her stamp on both the softball program and our athletics department as a whole."
 
Moran played for the Scotties from 2016 to 2018, earning First Team Region VI D-II, All-District D and Second Team All-KJCCC honors her sophomore year. She then transferred to Southwest Baptist University where she finished her playing career and graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education and health.
 
Following graduation, Moran taught two years at Central High School in Saint Joseph, Missouri and one year at South Holt R-1 in Oregon, Missouri. She has coached softball, basketball and track while in the prep ranks.
 
Moran resides in Saint Joseph with her fiancé John Trout.