The University of Texas at Dallas has hired a new head softball coach and new head athletic trainer.

Cassie Crabtree, an assistant coach from UT Tyler who has had four years of head coaching experience at the high school level, will head the softball team. Tom Monagan, a New York native with more than 15 years of collegiate athletic training experience at several levels, will be the University’s new head athletic trainer and associate director of athletics.

Cassie Crabtree

Cassie Crabtree will head the UT Dallas softball program.

“Both of these individuals will be tremendous additions to our staff,” said Athletic Director Chris Gage.

“Cassie’s experience as both a coach and a player complements her passion for building our softball program back to a high level. Tom also brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to UT Dallas. I believe both will provide significant leadership in moving our athletic program forward.”

Tom Monagan

Tom Monagan has 15 years’ experience as a college trainer.

Crabtree begins her duties June 30, and Monagan is scheduled to start next month.

Crabtree helped guide the UT Tyler softball team to an American Southwest Conference East Division title in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) national poll.

Crabtree, a former pitcher at Southern Arkansas University, will team with current UT Dallas assistant coach Rone Robinson.

She is completing work on a master’s degree with an emphasis on coaching through an NFCA-sponsored program at Texas Woman’s University.

Monagan will bring 15 years of collegiate and professional athletic training experience to the award-winning UT Dallas training staff. He steps into the leadership position long held by Larry Gardner, who retired in December 2009.

“Tom will be a tremendous addition to our staff,” said Gage. “He has a wealth of experience in injury prevention, assessment and rehabilitation. We are fortunate to have access to Tom’s innumerable talents and skills, and look forward to the impact he will have on our program.”

Monagan will join assistant trainers Kurt Kammerer and Yukari Miyagi on a staff which has twice been the ASC Training Staff of the Year. Monagan will also collaborate with the university’s Champs Life Skills program in developing nutrition, drug and alcohol education initiatives for the school’s 250-plus student-athletes.