Coaching Staff

Charissa Duncan | Head Coach

Charissa Duncan was introduced as the new Head Softball Coach in October of 2023.

Duncan joined the softball staff prior to the 2023 softball season. Prior to coming to campus, Duncan spent the past six years as the head coach at Jesse Carson High School in China Grove, N.C.

Duncan was a four-year utility player under head coach Dennis Shores from 2006-10. She graduated with school standards for doubles, stolen bases while ranking among Quakers' all-time leaders in games played, runs scored and RBI. In 2010, she earned All-ODAC  Honorable Mention, named Guilford's Best Female Athlete and the Richard Joyce Most Improved Athlete.

For the past decade, Duncan had enjoyed teaching and coaching both at the high school and travel ball levels and was excited for the opportunity to join the Guilford College softball coaching staff.

Tyler O'Dell | Assistant Coach 

Tyler O'Dell returns to his hometown at Guilford College after serving as the hitting and outfield coach, as well as the recruiting coordinator, at Gardner-Webb University for the previous two years. While at Gardner-Webb, the offense continued to grow  every year, seeing consistent increases in batting average, home runs, and OPS. During the 2022-23 season, GWU saw two starting outfielders finish the season with 1.000 fielding percentages. 

Prior to Gardner-Webb, O'Dell spent a year at Independence Community College in Independence, KS. At Indy, the Pirates finished with their first winning record in the past seven years. O’Dell served as the hitting coach and outfielder’s coach. Under his tutelage,  the Pirates offense recorded its highest totals in home runs, batting average, RBIs, OBP, and slugging percentage since 2014.

Before ICC, O’Dell served as the volunteer assistant coach during the shortened 2019-20 season at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. He worked primarily with the outfielders, assisted with the development of the App State offense, worked with pitchers  during bullpen sessions, and led volunteer practice times with infielders.

While working towards his undergraduate degree at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C., he was a student-manager for the Chanticleers softball program for two years. For the 2018-19 season, he was promoted to a lead manager role, assisting with on-field  drills and development during practices. As a manager, he would throw batting practice to the hitters, assist with infielder and outfielder drills, and catch bullpens for the pitchers. 

O'Dell received his Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sport Management in May 2019 from Coastal Carolina University. 

Kasey Locke | Assistant Coach

Kasey Locke joined the Guilford Softball coaching staff in January of 2024 as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. Prior to making the move to Guilford, Locke has served as Assistant Coach for Coffee County High School in Manchester, TN for the past three years. Under her leadership, she helped the Lady Raiders to  the State Tournament each year of her tenure. Locke specialized in player development, hitting, in-fielding, and game strategy. Locke spent her college years at Berry College in Rome, Ga. She contributed  to their 2017 SAA Regular Season and Tournament Championship at 3rd base and continued as a member of Berry’s first Super Regional team in 2018. Locke grew up in Florida and played for several travel ball teams. She led the Strawberry  Crest High School Chargers to their first ever State appearance. In her senior year, she was named Max Preps Player of the Year, with a batting average of .480 and an on base percentage of .514. She was named 1 st Team All-Conference and 2 nd Team All state  and holds numerous school records for her efforts on the softball field.