FARMVILLE, Va. — Longwood head coach Dr. Megan Brown announced the appointments of assistant coach Cat Clifford and graduate assistant coach Haylie Brunson to the softball staff on Monday.

Clifford comes to Longwood after two seasons as an assistant coach at FGCU. She also spent eight seasons on staff at Manhattan, including her final two (2022-23) as head coach. Brunson, a 2025 graduate of Penn State, was a .283 career hitter, splitting her four years between Pittsburgh (2022-23) and the Nittany Lions (2024-25).

"I am very pleased to announce the addition of coach Clifford and coach Brunson to the Longwood softball staff," Dr. Brown said. "They both bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. Their work ethic, growth mindset and winning mentality fit the culture of Longwood softball perfectly. I am confident that they will make an immediate and long-term impact on our program."

Clifford helped FGCU to 67 victories in her time at the Fort Myers, Fla., school, including a 38-21 (.644) mark in 2024. The Eagles captured the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament title that season, advancing to fight in the NCAA Gainesville Regional.

In two years as the defensive coordinator at FGCU, she led one of the the most tested defenses in the league with over 1,700 chances per season. In 2025, the Eagles increased their fielding percentage to .963 from .957 the year prior. In both of Clifford's seasons, FGCU was ranked in the top three in double plays turned in the ASUN, tying for the league lead with 28 in 2025.

"I am thrilled to join the Longwood softball family," said Clifford. "The values of the department and program align well with my coaching style and philosophies. I am eager to make an impact on our student-athletes while striving for excellence both in the Big South and on the national stage. Thank you to Coach Brown, athletics director Tim Hall and the entire Lancers community for the opportunity to represent Longwood."

Under Clifford's tutelage, FGCU was in the top two in the ASUN in both stolen base percentage (.653 in 2024 and .733 in 2025) and fewest stolen bases allowed (29 in 2024; 28 in 2025).

At Manhattan, Clifford and the Jaspers were 141-118 (.544) overall, including posting a 62-48 (.564) record during MAAC play. In 2016, Manhattan won 30 games for the first time in 23 years, before claiming a school-record-matching 34 wins in 2017. 

Clifford was part of the 2021 MAAC championship team that made an improbable run to the NCAA Fayetteville Regional as a No. 6 seed in the conference tournament.

In her time in Riverdale, N.Y., Clifford successfully recruited, mentored and developed 42 MAAC all-Academic players, 26 NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes, 14 all-MAAC players, eight MAAC All-Rookie Team players, seven College Sports Communicators Academic All-District players, six NFCA All-Region players, one league Rookie of the Year, one conference  Player of the Year.

A 2014 graduate of Mount St. Mary's University, she was a four-year starter at third base for the Mountaineers. Clifford graduated among the Mount St. Mary's all-time leaders in home runs (fourth, 17), at-bats (sixth, 483), games played (seventh, 172), total bases (eighth, 192) and walks (eighth, 52). She was a Second Team All-Northeast Conference selection in 2013, when she hit .312 with eight home runs, including a long ball against No. 4 Florida, and 24 RBIs.

The Hopewell Junction, N.Y., native, who has a master's degree from Manhattan (2022), worked as an assistant with the Hudson Valley Express U12 travel team in the summer of 2014 before beginning her collegiate coaching career at NCAA Division III Susquehanna in 2015. She was a member of the Landmark Conference Coaching Staff of the Year that season, as the Crusaders went 31-7 and placed seven players on the all-conference team.

Brunson, a Mount Pleasant, Pa., native, was named to the 2025 All-Big Ten Second Team, also earning an NFCA third team all-region nod as a senior. She batted .345 with 13 doubles 49 RBIs 13 home runs in her final season, tying for second and fourth, respectively, on Penn State's single-season RBIs and homers lists.

Strong academically, Brunson earned Academic All-Big Ten and CSC Academic All-District honors this past season.

"I am incredibly honored for the opportunity to kickstart my coaching career at Longwood University," Brunson said. "Joining a program with such a proud tradition and unwavering commitment to excellence is truly meaningful. Coach Brown has built a program rooted in strong values, a winning culture and a family-oriented environment where athletes grow not just as players, but as people. I am excited to learn under her leadership and contribute to the continued success of this program."

In her first season in Happy Valley, Brunson helped PSU to its first NCAA regional appearance in 13 seasons with a 35-20 record. She connected for 14 doubles and six home runs, driving in 34 runs. Brunson was named an NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete at season's end for the second time in her career, also earning the honor in 2023 at Pittsburgh.

Brunson spent her first two collegiate seasons with the Panthers, hitting .261 with 13 doubles and five homers. As a sophomore, she batted .294 with six doubles, four homers and 14 walks, getting on base at a .400 clip.

Brunson graduated from Penn State in May with a degree in labor and human resources. Since graduation, she has been a volunteer assistant coach at Division III Waynesburg. She is pursuing her MBA at Longwood.