Kentucky softball coach Rachel Lawson didn’t hold back when reflecting on the program’s recent struggles, getting emotional as she admitted that her loyalty had cost the team progress. In a candid moment, Lawson acknowledged that in an attempt to remain loyal to the players she recruited, she failed to make the tough decisions necessary to keep the Wildcats competitive.
Never have I heard a coach readily admit this (UKathletics video). pic.twitter.com/DO4XcB8MQa
— John Huang (@KYHuangs) February 4, 2025
"It’s Really Hard Being Loyal in Today’s Age"
Lawson’s frustration was evident as she opened up about her coaching approach in recent seasons. Rather than prioritizing the best lineup, she tried to find ways to honor the players who had been with the program, even when younger, faster players were ready to take on bigger roles.
“It’s really hard being loyal in today’s age,” Lawson admitted. “In my attempt to stay loyal to people I recruited, we took a step back. I did a really bad job.”
Her honesty was a rare look into the difficult balance coaches must strike between honoring veteran players and making the necessary changes to keep a team competitive.
She had to figure out who her loyalty was to
While reflecting on the past, Lawson made it clear that she is no longer going to be that coach—the one who hesitates to make tough roster decisions out of personal loyalty. She recognized that her true responsibility isn’t just to individual players but to the University of Kentucky and Big Blue Nation as a whole.
“I had to change. I had to figure out that my loyalty is to Big Blue Nation and the University of Kentucky,”
That shift in mindset signals a new approach moving forward, one that prioritizes putting the best team on the field, regardless of past commitments.
A New Standard Moving Forward
Lawson admitted that she let things slip in recent seasons, trying to mix veteran players who were not meeting the Kentucky standard; and younger talent who were faster, stronger and meeting the standard. The results weren’t up to Kentucky’s standard, and she took full accountability for the dip in performance.
"I did a really bad job.”
Her willingness to acknowledge mistakes, however, could be the turning point the Wildcats need. Moving forward, fans can expect a renewed focus on setting and enforcing the standard that has made Kentucky softball a respected program in the SEC.
Kentucky softball opens the season Friday Feb. 7th at 10 AM as part of the Kick-off classic in Florida playing Pittsburgh.
Final Thoughts
Rachel Lawson’s emotional reflection was an eye-opening moment for Kentucky softball fans. She made it clear that loyalty to individual players will no longer come at the expense of the program’s success. With a renewed mindset and a commitment to building the best team possible, Kentucky softball could be heading for a much-needed resurgence.
The question now: How quickly will these changes translate to results on the field? If Lawson follows through on her promise, the Wildcats could be on their way back to SEC prominence sooner rather than later