Samantha Santillo Named Softball Assistant Coach

Santillo is the only three-time NEC Golden Glove winner in the award’s history. Photo credit: RMU Athletics

Michael Deemer
July 25, 2022

Former Colonial catcher Samantha Santillo, will join Jexx Varner’s staff as an assistant coach.

“I’m beyond thrilled to bring Sam back to RMU and add her to our coaching staff,” Varner said. “I honestly believe this is a great example of what we are building here and what a great place RMU is, as we now have three alums on staff. Sam’s energy will be a great fit for the program. Her expertise and experience are valuable assets that this team will soak up and thrive off of.”

The three-time NEC Golden Glove winner was the head coach for NJCAA’s Monroe College for the last four seasons. In Santillo’s first season in 2019, the Mustangs set a program single-season record for victories with 24.

Santillo was a four-year backstop for the Colonials from 2012-15, helping RMU claim three NEC regular-season championships. Santillo was named the NEC Golden Glove Winner each of the first three years the conference handed out the award (2012, 2013, 2014) and remains the only three-time award winner. She is also the last Colonial to post a perfect fielding percentage in 2014.

Head Coach Jexx Varner is excited about the team’s future under Santillo’s wing.

“Sam’s love and loyalty for this University and this program are unmatched, making her the perfect addition to help push us to the next level,” Varner said. “Her former teammates and coaches rave about her game sense as well as her passion, and those are on display every time she steps on the field. Sam’s work ethic and game IQ will be a huge help as she leads our pitching staff through the next stages of development. I’m very excited to see this great pitching staff grow under her tutelage.”

The Colonials will look to new horizons with Santillo added to the staff with hopes of returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005 after making it to the Horizon League Championship game last season.