COLLEGE PARK, MD – Maryland softball head coach Mark Montgomery has received a five-year contract extension taking his contract to June 30, 2027, as announced by Damon Evans, Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics at the University of Maryland. 

"Coming off our best softball season in Big Ten history, we are pleased to reward Mark with a contract extension," said Evans. "In his three seasons at Maryland, Mark has worked hard to rebuild Maryland softball and the results are showing on and off the field. This past season we won our most games overall in nearly a decade as we set a school record for Big Ten victories, including our first win in the Big Ten Tournament.  We are thrilled that Mark will be leading our Terps into the future and we are excited about what's next."

"I am thrilled to be staying in College Park as we continue to build a special program with Maryland softball," said Montgomery. "Since arriving here three years ago, I have been fortunate to have incredible support from our university, Damon and our entire athletic department staff. We have made tremendous strides with this program and I am excited about a very bright future. With the returning players we have and the elite recruits, we have coming to wear the Terps' uniform, the best is ahead for Maryland softball."

Montgomery enters his fourth season at the helm of the Maryland softball program after a record-setting 2022 season. Montgomery led the Terps to a 29-23 season, the most wins since the 2013 season. Maryland's 14 conference wins are the most since joining the Big Ten in 2015. The Terps also recorded a program-high fifth-place finish since joining the conference. Montgomery also led the Terps to their first-ever Big Ten conference tournament victory over Michigan State in the opening round.  

Montgomery recorded his 600th career win in a series sweep over North Dakota State on March 20, 2022. The offensive power continued for Maryland as five players hit over .300. The team finished second in the NCAA in stolen bases with 127 on the season. 

Student-athletes have found immense success under Montgomery with two individual players earning All-Big Ten Honors in the 2022 season (Jaeda McFarland and Megan Mikami). This was McFarland's second Big Ten First Team honor of her career along with being named Big Ten Freshman of the year in the 2021 season. Mikami earned a Big Ten Second Team selection in addition to being named the sportsmanship honoree for Maryland. 

The team's academic progress has increased greatly under Montgomery with the team, and certain individuals, earning honors over the past few years, most recently placing 12 Terps on the NFCA All America Scholar-Athlete list. 

Overall, Montgomery is 60-59 in his three seasons leading the Terps with a career record of 616-542 (.539). He served as the head coach at Georgetown (Ky.) from 2001-02, Centenary from 2003-10, Northern Colorado from 2011-12 and Louisiana Tech from 2013-19. He has led his teams to six national regional appearances and six conference tournament championships. 

He earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from Eastern Kentucky in 1992 and his masters from Georgetown College in 2000.