How belief is fueling Ashley Chastain’s development of South Carolina softball
Ashley Chastain is a believer, which is exactly what her team needs her to be.
In 51 years of South Carolina softball, USC has made the Women’s College World Series three times (1983, 1989, 1997) and won the SEC once (1997). Each accomplishment predates Chastain’s Carolina playing career (2009-11) and the birth of all 23 players on South Carolina’s 2025 roster. But now, as the school’s 11th head coach, Chastain is tasked with developing the Gamecocks’ championship pedigree.
Quickly.
A lofty task made loftier by the SEC’s addition of Oklahoma and Texas — one of the winningest college softball programs ever (Sooners) and the team it competed against in the 2024 World Series final (Longhorns). But, after about three months at the helm, Chastain isn’t afraid to praise her team and its ability to win.
Now.
“We believe that we’re gonna compete at the top of college softball,” Chastain told The State. “It might be far-fetched for everyone on the outside, but it’s not for us internally.”
Chastain’s faith isn’t blind. It’s reinforced daily. With hard work, dedication to detail and the formation of healthy habits that pick players up when their motivations ebb and flow.
Through team dinners at the Chastain residence, surprise trips to the South Carolina State Fair and positive “you belong here” affirmations, the Gamecocks are building something new. Something special. Something, hopefully, historic.
‘We have every piece we need’
Chastain’s first public appearance as South Carolina’s head coach was her introductory press conference at Williams-Brice Stadium on June 12.
The former Charlotte 49ers head coach called the opportunity a dream come true in her opening remarks and explained how eager she is to rejoin the “premier league for softball in the country.” Then, before anyone could ask her about job expectations, Chastain made a bold declaration:
“Our goal and our vision is to lead this program to championships in the SEC and get the program to Oklahoma City, where it belongs.”
Chastain’s college coach Joyce Compton led the Gamecocks for 24 seasons (1987-2010), guiding them to 13 NCAA Tournament appearances and two trips to the Women’s College World Series. After Compton, Beverly Smith coached USC to a 461-323 overall record (102-219 in the SEC) and nine trips to the NCAA Tournament in 14 years (2010-24). Compton retired in 2010, while USC reported that Smith would not return as coach about three weeks after a loss to Duke in the Durham Regional.
History wasn’t on Chastain’s side when she shared her objective with family, fiancé-slash-Charlotte baseball head coach Robert Woodard, South Carolina athletics staffers and local media. But Chastain is a proponent of manifestation. And her introductory press conference was the first step.
“If it’s in our common language, it’s not a big deal,” she told The State this fall. “I think when it seems like a pie in the sky dream, it’s something that is touched on ever so often, it seems less obtainable.”
The Gamecocks begin and end every practice under Chastain by forming a circle around the pitcher’s circle. Everyone stands in the same spot each time, where they set their intentions for the session and later review what just took place. Chastain typically sits back during these intimate moments, instead encouraging everyone — outspoken and reserved alike — to use their own voice.
It also communicates a crucial message to the team as it looks to integrate returning South Carolina players, former Charlotte 49ers who followed Chastain to Columbia, other transfers and freshmen into one cohesive group.
“When we stand in a circle, it’s a reminder that ‘you all belong, and we have every piece we need in this circle,’ ” third-year Gamecock Brooke Blankenship told The State. “So they’re giving us the confidence that we are the right people, right pieces together in the puzzle, to do this.”
‘This is truly a family’
Every semester Chastain picks a piece of literature for a team-wide book club. This fall, multiple friends recommended “The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups” by Daniel Coyle. The title and message feel tailored for what Chastain is trying to build at South Carolina, so she ordered 40 copies off Amazon for herself, her staff and her players.
Hurricane Helene delayed the delivery, so Chastain bought the audiobook to listen to in the meantime. She doesn’t like to assign her team stories she’s never read before. “I guess that’s the mama in me,” she said with a smile.
Chastain’s maternal instinct is a hallmark of her coaching style. Senior Ella Chancey has known “Coach Ash” since travel ball days and played three years under her at Charlotte. Chastain expects a lot from her players, Chancey said, but also makes her care for them as people off the field known.
Earlier in the fall, she printed out and hand delivered wedding invitations to all 23 Gamecocks before practice. Almost everyone will be attending the ceremony on Nov. 30.
“This is truly a family that we’ve developed,” Chancey told The State. “And I think that’s what goes a long way.
“... We’re just going to be able to see a lot of success in the spring because of how she coaches us day in and day out.”
This story was originally published October 21, 2024 at 11:30 AM.
