SWEET BRIAR, Va. – With softball returning to Sweet Briar for the 2023 season, the college has named Brian Hensley as its new head softball coach.
 
"We are excited to have Coach Brian Hensley join our team," said Jodi Canfield, Sweet Briar College athletics director. "His knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm are impactful.  His focus for the first year will be using his extensive contacts to build a solid roster and foundation for the program." 
 
Ready to lead the Vixens on the field for their first season in seven years, Hensley has over eighteen years of softball coaching experience. In 2011, Hensley led the Liberty Christian Academy Lady Bulldogs to a VISSA State Championship title, defeating eight-time defending champion Bishop O'Connell for the first state title in program history. Hensley was named VISSA 2011 Coach of the Year, and guided LCA to a combined 49-6 record over the 2010-2011 seasons.
 
From 2011-2013, Hensley served as an Assistant Softball Coach for Liberty University. During his time at LU instructing players on hitting and pitching, Hensley also served as the Director of Camps and Clinics and was head of recruiting.
 
In the travel softball circuit, Hensley was an assistant coach for the highly-successful Central VA High Voltage travel team, which won the 2009 NSA World Series, posting a 58-7 record. He currently holds a 27-9 record as the head coach for Freedom Fastpitch 14U/16U.
 
Additionally, Hensley has most recently worked as a pitching instructor, certified through Tincher Pitching, a role he has held since 2013. He has worked with students aged 10 through the Division I collegiate level, developing their pitching techniques and skills.
 
"I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity," Hensley says. "I would also like to thank Jodi Canfield and all the members of the hiring committee. The sense of community and purpose of SBC was evident the moment I stepped foot on campus. I am excited to get started and look forward to many successful years in the future."
 
A graduate of Liberty University, Hensley earned his Master of Science in Sport Management/Administration from Liberty in 2017 and also completed a specialist degree in Educational Leadership in 2021.