KU softball adds assistant, loses recruit

New Kansas University softball coach Megan Smith has gained an assistant coach, but lost a recruit.

Adam Roorbach, who worked with Smith on the LSU staff for the last two seasons, has been hired as her top assistant. Roorbach will be the hitting coach and assist with game strategy and recruiting.

Meanwhile, Smith confirmed that shortstop Matte Haack, who had signed with the Jayhawks last November out of Katy (Texas) High, won’t be coming.

“We did give her a release, that’s all I can say,” Smith said Thursday.

Haack was born in Lawrence when her father, Kalum Haack, was KU’s softball coach (1988-95). She was named MVP of the Greater Houston area after hitting .444 and stealing 21 bases while playing for her father at Katy High.

Under NCAA rules, a signee can opt out of a letter of intent if the program changes head coaches. Tracy Bunge, who was the Jayhawks’ coach when Haack signed, resigned last spring and was replaced by Smith in June.

As an example, KU basketball player Tyshawn Taylor originally signed with Marquette, but changed his mind when UM coach Tom Crean left for Indiana, and Taylor went to Kansas instead.

Haack, who is reportedly headed for Arizona University, is the only one of Bunge’s six recruits who asked for a release. The others plan to enroll in the fall, Smith said.

They are twin outfielders Rosie Hull and Maggie Hull of Free State High; pitcher Alex Jones of Enid, Okla.; shortstop Mariah Montgomery of Ralston, Neb.; and catcher Kendall Patterson of McLouth.

Asked if she planned to add a late signee to replace Haack, Smith said, “More than likely, no.”

Roorbach, Smith’s new aide, was director of operations of the LSU softball program for the last two seasons. He was also an assistant at Western Carolina when Smith was head coach at WCU in 2006.

A graduate of Indiana Wesleyan, Roorbach also owns a masters degree in physical education from Eastern Illinois.

Roorbach’s hiring completes Smith’s staff. Christi Musser, an aide under Bunge for the last six years, has been retained.