FSU softball: Thoughts on Lonnie Alameda signing extension

FSU softball announced head coach Lonnie Alameda will be staying with the Noles for a while after overtures from Texas A&M came up short like leprechauns.

It was the second time the Aggies came for a national championship coach at FSU, but this time the coach hadn’t quit on their program and was coming off a record-setting season and ACC Tournament Championship.

Alameda had signed a seven-year extension last July, but this new contract extends her through the 2029 season and will make 5.615 million guaranteed over the length of the contract.

The announcement came via press release on Twitter:

Thoughts

I can’t think of anyone more deserving despite the team’s disappointing loss in the regionals this postseason after earning a No. 2 overall national seed.

I think this news should hush the naysayers of Athletic Director Michael Alford, who seemed to believe he would negate all sports when Mike Krikorian abruptly left the program a couple of months ago.

I think a coach that’s been at FSU for such a long time like Alameda proves Krikorian’s decision had more to do with Krikorian than anything concerning Alford. It also proves FSU isn’t going to allow other programs to poach proven coaches without a fight.

Texas A&M has deep pockets, but I think FSU’s willingness to step up to the plate and support the program, coupled with what Alameda has built-in Tallahassee, was enough to keep her here for a long time. If you haven’t watched FSU softball, I encourage you to give it a shot as they play an exciting brand of softball at an elite level.

It’s also great to see the program receiving a lot of upgrades they have deserved for quite some time this offseason. I’ve spoken about it before, but Michael Alford’s hiring is one of the most important things FSU has done over the last year.

It helps big time when you have a real athletic director steering the ship. Congrats to Lonnie Alameda on a well-deserved contract and Michael Alford for getting it done quickly.