Why Kayla Braud Joined Alabama Softball Coaching Staff

When Alyson Habetz retired after 25 years, Patrick Murphy made one of his first calls to recruit his former all-American back to Alabama, this time as a coach.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Kayla Braud had no idea she would be moving from the booth back into the dugout at Rhoads Stadium this spring. The former Crimson Tide all-American spent the decade after graduating from Alabama working in sports broadcasting, covering softball for ESPN and SEC Network and also assisting with baseball coverage for the Seattle Mariners on ROOT Sports. 

When former Alabama assistant Alyson Habetz asked Braud a few years ago if she would ever get into coaching Braud said, "No, except for one job and you have it, so I can’t get in until you’re done."

Braud always thought that Habetz would retire whenever Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy did. The two worked together at Alabama for 25 years before Habetz retired in August to take care of her mother. 

Habetz remembered that conversation with Braud and brought up her name to Murphy when he was in the coaching-search process. 

"And I think that’s one of the reasons he called me," Braud said on Tuesday. 

Murphy called Braud the night Habetz told him about her retirement. He joked that he had to recruit her harder to come to Alabama as the assistant coach than he did when she was a player. But it was going to be a big commitment to move across the country from Portland, Oregon to Alabama with her husband and daughter with most of their family still back in Oregon. 

Braud enjoyed the broadcasting work and the objective perspective it provides on the outside looking it. But she wanted the opportunity to impact the game from the inside and give back to the school and program that gave her so much. 

"What I was really missing was the one-on-one with young women helping them develop into the best players and people they can be," Braud said. "And I just wanted to be in those moments celebrating because it meant so much to me. Everything I am, really was owed to Alabama softball— who I am in my career. I became the young woman I am today because of Alabama softball, and I just wanted to pay it forward."

Habetz primarily worked with the outfielders and was the first base coach, and Braud will be fulfilling the same roles. Fifth-year senior outfielder Jenna Johnson said learning from Braud has been a one-of-a-kind experience. Braud was a four-year starter and three-time all-American in the outfield for the Crimson Tide from 2010-2013. 

"She’s been able to teach us so much out there having that player perspective. And she’s a national champion. So getting to learn from her has changed everything, and it’s been a great addition.”

Alabama softball opens the season in two weeks at the Buzz Classic in Atlanta with five games over three days, starting with Villanova on Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. where Braud will make her coaching debut. 

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