Darian Ockman, former Louisiana Christian University softball player, hired as Thibodaux coach
Chris Singleton
Thibodaux High School has promoted assistant Darian Ockman as its new softball coach, the school announced Wednesday.
Ockman, who is a former Louisiana Christian University pitcher, served as assistant coach and pitching coach the last two seasons. She will replace former Thibodaux coach Arthur Bernard, according to athletics director Tony Clark. Bernard resigned in April after a 13-15 season.
“I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity to be the head softball coach at Thibodaux High,” Ockman said. “This has been a dream of mine to become a head coach and give back to the game that has given me so much. This is a great school and we have a great group of girls, and I cannot wait to get out there and get to work with them.”
Ockman is a 2014 graduate of Jena High School who played at Louisiana Christian (formerly Louisiana College) from 2015-17. She was a second team all-conference pitcher and academic all-conference selection in 2016. She spent one year at Northwestern State in 2019 before moving to Thibodaux.
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL:Houma-area all-district high school softball teams for 2021-22 LHSAA season
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL:Houma-area high school softball top 10 final rankings for 2022 LHSAA season
Ockman said she is ready to lead a new era of Thibodaux softball. The program hasn’t made the playoffs since 2018.
“I want to teach the girls that softball is more than just a game,” Ockman said. “It teaches responsibility, determination, teamwork and pushes you mentally and physically. I want to push them to be the best version of themselves whether it is on the field or off the field. I believe if we can focus on doing the little things right and believe in each other, we can be a successful program.
“I would like to thank coach Arthur 'Putt' Bernard and (former Thibodaux coach) Wendy Roussell for the opportunity to join the softball program at Thibodaux two seasons ago and showing me what it means to be apart of the Lady Tigers.”
Reach Chris Singleton at 985-857-2213 or chris.singleton@houmatoday.com and on Twitter @courierchris.