UCF softball coach Cindy Ball-Malone has signed a two-year extension, which will keep her with the program through 2029.
Ball-Malone is entering her eighth season with the Knights, where she has compiled an overall record of 251–129–3. She had led the program to back-to-back tournament championships in The American in 2022 and 2023, as well as five consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
Her current contract was set to expire in 2027.
“Orlando is home, UCF is home, and this team, this program and everyone who’s in it are so unique, and it’s very difficult to recreate what we have here,” Ball-Malone said in a statement. “The people, atmosphere and everyone involved in Knight Nation are what make it so special, and I couldn’t be more appreciative to Terry Mohajir and this university for this opportunity to continue on in my coaching career here.”
During her time at UCF, Ball-Malone has produced three All-American selections and had 46 players named all-conference between The American and the Big 12.
UCF is coming off a 35-24-1 season in 2025 that was highlighted by the program’s first win in the Big 12 Tournament and an impressive run that saw the Knights advance to the NCAA Regional Finals with wins over Eastern Illinois and Michigan.
Ball-Malone previously served as the head coach at Boise State (2015-18) and was an assistant coach at Cal State Northridge, Washington, and her alma mater, Pacific.
She is the fifth coach to receive a contract extension this offseason, joining Scott Calabrese (men’s soccer), Lloyd Bruce-Burgess (men’s tennis), Dana Boone (track and field) and Mara Allen (rowing).
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