Lynn CuryloClaim this profile

Women's SoftballLynn Curylo

Women's Softball Head Coach

University of Illinois (Chicago)

NCAA DI • Missouri Valley Conference | MVC

2.2

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Would Recommend

Overall

2.0

Caring

3.0

Motivational

1.0

Knowledgeable

3.0

Honest

2.0

Tags

Cares About AcademicsFitness Is ImportantOld School Mentality

Coach Curylo brings a unique perspective to the role, especially with her strong emphasis on academics. Her background as a former teacher really shows—she genuinely cares about players succeeding in the classroom and supports them in choosing majors that align with long-term goals, not just athletic ones. That’s something we really appreciated. That said, when it came to softball itself, there were definitely challenges. There seemed to be some inconsistency in how players were treated—some days felt relaxed and productive, while others felt like everyone was walking on eggshells. Injuries weren’t always fully understood or handled with the sensitivity you’d hope for in a high-level program. One of the more difficult dynamics was how assistant coaches were often criticized or undermined in front of the team. It made it hard for the group to buy into the staff as a united front. When a new coach joined—someone with national championships both as a player and coach—she wasn’t fully utilized. Despite having a wealth of experience, she was mostly limited to working with pitchers, and players had to seek her out privately for advice on the game as a whole to avoid tension. Overall, not the worst coaching experience out there, but there is definitely room for growth—especially in terms of communication, staff management, and consistency. The academic support was a huge plus, but to be a successful head coach, staying level-headed and building trust across the whole team and staff is just as important.