By Dustin Semore
FHU Information Director
Freed-Hardeman University softball and women’s basketball have added new staff members with the addition of Kaitlynn Hunt to the softball program while KJ White joins the women’s basketball coaching staff.
Joining Coach Todd Humphry at Tucker Field is new assistant softball coach Kaitlynn Hunt. A former DI student-athlete for Creighton (Neb.) University, Hunt is a highly-competitive team member with a desire to take on new challenges. Hunt has spent the last three years at Florida’s Inspiration Academy working with both the softball and baseball programs. Before her time in Florida, she coached TEAM Nebraska Baseball for six seasons after serving as the assistant baseball coach at Midland (Neb.) University during the 2021 season.
“I’m super excited to get going here at FHU! Softball has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve had many great coaches throughout my years who taught me valuable lessons that helped me develop as a player and now coach. I’m so thankful for the opportunity I have to continue that growth here and look forward for everything that is in store for the Lady Lions,” said Hunt.
Coach Humphry said of his new helper, “Excited to have Kaitlynn on staff this year with our program. Hunt brings a lot of new ideas and approaches to the Lady Lions from her time as a player and as a coach. I’ve been impressed by the way she has come in and hit the ground running in preparation for the team to arrive in August. We are ready to get going right away and see what the 24-25 season holds for us.”
Hunt graduated from Creighton with her bachelor’s degree in 2020 before obtaining a graduate certificate in organizational leadership at Creighton in 2021. Finishing her career at Lipscomb (Tenn.), Hunt obtained a graduate certificate in performance coaching in 2022.
A name very familiar to FHU Lady Lion basketball fans will be joining Head Coach Abby Stutts on the sidelines as KJ White takes on the assistant coach role.
A highly decorated Lady Lion, White was a four-time Academic All-Conference selection, was the 2024 MSC Defensive Player of the Year, and was selected as the Outstanding Female Student-Athlete at the 2024 Roar Awards.
With a year of coaching experience, White was the coaching intern for Gibson County AAU where she established clear benchmarks for performance and monitored individual and team progress.
“I’m incredibly thrilled to be returning to Freed-Hardeman and the women’s basketball program as an assistant coach,” said White. “Having played here the past five years, I’m honored to be able to give back to the program and school that shaped me. I can’t wait to build and contribute to further success in this next chapter!”
“We are so excited to add KJ to our staff. KJ has been a great player and leader for the Lady Lions over the years,” said Coach Stutts. “She is one the most hard working girls I know, and I believe is a great addition to our program as she shares her knowledge and experience from the sideline now. I am looking forward to us working together and continuing the Lady Lions tradition!”
White obtained her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies in 2024 from Freed-Hardeman.
