Barclay Promoted to Associate Head Coach

CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina head softball coach Donna J. Papa announced the promotion of Chelsey Barclay to associate head coach Tuesday.

"Chelsey is very deserving of her title change and promotion to associate head coach," Papa said. "She has been instrumental in creating a new mindset for us offensively with baserunning, helping us set program records each of the last three years. Chelsey made an impact on the pitching side, developing a pitching staff that has included an All-American and an ACC Freshmen of the Year. I feel fortunate to have Chelsey on our staff and am happy that we are able to do this."

Barclay joined the Tar Heels in 2015, serving as the team's pitching coach, while also helping reset UNC's base running record each of the past three seasons – now to 116.

"I would like to thank Head Coach Donna Papa, our sports supervisor, Mike Bunting, athletic director, Bubba Cunningham for this honor," Barclay said. "I am grateful to this university for allowing me to call UNC home for the past three seasons and I look forward to serving such a prestigious institution for many more years to come."

In her first season with the Tar Heels in 2016, Barclay helped transform junior Kendra Lynch into an everyday starter. After two seasons seeing limited action in the circle, Lynch had a breakout junior campaign, earning All-ACC First Team and three ACC Pitcher of the Week honors, while setting four Carolina single-season records. Additionally, Barclay had a tremendous impact on the Tar Heels' baserunning, leading Carolina from just 29 stolen bases in 2015 to a program-record 102 in 2016, including the first-ever pair of Tar Heels to record 25+ steals in the same season (Destiny DeBerry-33, Aquilla Mateen-26).

Carolina's baserunning improved further in 2017, as UNC once again broke its own record with 106 stolen bases as a team. Leah Murray led the ACC with 38 swipes, while a total of five Tar Heels had 10 or more for the first time ever. Barclay mentored a deep pitching staff in 2017, which included three true freshmen in the circle. Rookie lefty Brittany Pickett emerged as UNC's ace under Barclay's leadership, excelling in the circle and at the plate to rank in the top 10 in the ACC in 17 statistical categories and become the ACC Freshman of the Year and a Top-10 Finalist for NFCA National Freshman of the Year.

In 2018, UNC reset its stolen base record for the third consecutive year to 116 with five Tar Heels with double-digit bases, led by Leah Murray's ACC-best 34. Barclay guided Carolina's ace Brittany Pickett to All-ACC first team honors, ranking second nationally in wins, eighth in shutouts and 29th in strikeouts.

Barclay came to Carolina after two seasons as the pitching coach at Cal Poly where she developed some of the top pitchers in school history. During her first season with the Mustangs, Cal Poly's 2014 rotation led the Big West Conference and ranked 27th among more than 300 NCAA Division I programs with a 2.13 ERA. The Mustang rotation also led the Big West in strikeouts (311 and 5.92 per game) and fewest home runs (23) and earned runs (113) allowed.

Barclay served as an assistant and pitching coach at Marshall from 2011-13. She capped her tenure in Huntington, West Virginia, by helping the Thundering Herd to a 36-22 overall mark, the program's first Conference USA championship and an appearance in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

A native of San Jose, Calif., Barclay earned Horizon League All-Newcomer team praise during her 2004 freshman season at Illinois-Chicago, in addition to helping the Flames to the NCAA Tournament.

After transferring to West Valley College (Saratoga, Calif.), Barclay was named NorCal Pitcher of the Year after winning 22 times and compiling a 0.54 ERA. She continued her collegiate career at Oklahoma State (2006-07) before graduating with degree in elementary education.

Stay up to date with Carolina Softball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.

Scoreboard Slider

University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Destiny DeBerry

Kendra Lynch

Leah Murray

Brittany Pickett

Related Videos