photo by: Megan True

Kansas junior Nicole Washburn hits against Iowa State in the fourth inning. Kansas beat Iowa State 3-0 Sunday afternoon at Arrocha Ballpark.

After spending six years as an assistant softball coach at Lawrence High, Nicole Riley will take her turn leading the program.

Riley was named Lawrence’s head softball coach Tuesday.

“I’m so pumped. It’s been a crazy couple of days,” said Riley, who is a physical-education teacher at the school. “I love Lawrence High, so when this opportunity came about, I couldn’t say no.”

Riley will replace Joe Dee Tarbutton, who resigned from the position in July after coaching for three seasons. Riley was a varsity assistant coach to Tarbutton for two years.

She didn’t coach last year, but said she started missing it once the season started. The Lions finished with a 9-12 record.

“I have a 4-year-old and 1-year-old so I couldn’t make practice work last season,” Riley said. “As soon as I found out that I could, then I talked to (LHS athletic director) Bill (DeWitt) and Joe Dee and told them I would like to get back into it if you need me out at the field or wherever. So I already had a plan of coming back in some way.”

Riley said she was “overwhelmed” with all of the messages of support from former players, parents and family members.

During her eight-year coaching career, she spent two years as the LHS junior-varsity coach and four as the Lions’ varsity assistant.

“There’s certainly a familiarity there, which I think will help,” DeWitt said. “It’s just good to have somebody that’s been around the kids. I think Nicole might be in her seventh or eighth year here at Lawrence High School, so obviously familiar with facilities, students, the school and all those things. It should be a real nice fit.”

Along with her coaching experience, Riley is familiar with the area after playing in college at Kansas.

Riley, then Nicole Washburn, started at first base for the Jayhawks, helping KU to a Big 12 championship in 2006.

“I want my kids to grow up here,” Riley said. “I want my kids to go to Lawrence High. We actually bought our house based on where it was at — south of 15th (street). When we were looking at houses, I told (my husband), we have to live on this side of town.”

Riley hopes to meet with players and parents in the near future to discuss their offseason plans

“My kids are so excited. My son is 4 and he’s so excited to come out to the field,” Riley said. “I’m just excited to be around the girls. … I’m ready for the year to start, that’s for sure.”