John Rittman Coaches 1,400th Career Game, Cementing Legacy at Clemson
- Charles Mays
- Apr 12
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 12
Last night, Head Coach John Rittman achieved a significant milestone, coaching his 1,400th career game in collegiate softball. With an impressive career record of 971 wins, 426 losses, and 3 ties, Rittman's impact on the sport is undeniable. Since taking the reins at Clemson, he has guided the Tigers to a 221-75 record, establishing the program as a formidable force in a remarkably short time.
Building a Program from the Ground Up
Appointed as Clemson's inaugural softball head coach in 2017, Rittman faced the challenge of building a program from scratch. The team began competition in 2020, and under his leadership, quickly rose to prominence. In their first full season in 2021, the Tigers clinched the ACC regular-season title with a 44–8 record, and Rittman was honored as ACC Coach of the Year.
Signature Victories Under Rittman's Leadership
Throughout his tenure at Clemson, Rittman has led the Tigers to several landmark victories:
First Top-10 Victory: In 2022, Clemson secured its first win against a top-10 opponent by defeating then No. 6 Washington 2-0 at the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational.
100th Program Win: On May 1, 2022, the Tigers achieved their 100th win in program history with a 3-2 victory over Georgia Tech on Senior Day, becoming the second-fastest program at Clemson to reach this milestone.
ACC Tournament Upset: During the 2022 ACC Tournament, Clemson upset then No. 2 Virginia Tech 4-1 in the semifinals, marking the program's highest victory over a ranked opponent at that time and advancing them to the championship game.
Hosting NCAA Regionals: In 2022, Clemson hosted its first NCAA Regional, achieving shutout victories against UNCW and Louisiana, and a win over Auburn, to advance to the program's first Super Regional.
Coach Rittman's 900th Career Win: On April 30, 2023, Rittman recorded his 900th career win in a 5-4 triumph over Virginia Tech, which also marked his 150th victory at Clemson.
A Lasting Legacy in Collegiate Softball
Before his tenure at Clemson, Rittman amassed 750 wins over 18 seasons at Stanford, leading the Cardinal to 16 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and two Women's College World Series berths. Coach Rittman is the winningest Head Coach in Stanford Softball history. His extensive experience also includes coaching roles with USA Softball, contributing to gold medal victories at the 2004 Athens Olympics and multiple World Championships.
As Coach Rittman celebrates his 1,400th game, his enduring impact on collegiate softball—marked by program-building excellence and competitive success, continues to inspire players and fans alike.
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