Coastal Carolina Mourns the Passing of Hall of Fame Coach Jess Dannelly
9/3/2026 4:03:00 PM | General, Softball
CONWAY, S.C. – Coastal Carolina University Athletics mourns the passing of longtime coach, administrator and Hall of Famer Jess Dannelly, whose more than four decades of service to the University left an enduring impact on generations of Chanticleers.
Dannelly, who first joined Coastal Carolina Athletics in 1984, served the University in numerous capacities throughout his career, most notably as the head coach of the Chanticleer softball program for 22 seasons from 1988-2009. Following his coaching career, he continued his service to Coastal as an associate athletic director, including serving as Associate Athletic Director for Community Outreach and executive director of the Letterwinners Association.
"Coach Dannelly's impact on Coastal Carolina Athletics is immeasurable," said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and University Recreation Chance Miller. "For more than four decades, Jess dedicated himself to this University and to the countless student-athletes, coaches and staff members who had the privilege of knowing him. He was a championship coach and an accomplished administrator, but his legacy extends far beyond wins and titles. Jess cared deeply about people and about Coastal Carolina. The relationships he built throughout his life are a reflection of the kind of man he was. We are forever grateful for everything he gave to our University and our athletics department, and our thoughts are with Wendy, Mckewn, Travis and the entire Dannelly family."
One of the most accomplished coaches in Coastal Carolina Athletics history, Dannelly compiled 669 victories during his 22 seasons leading the Chanticleers. His teams captured six Big South Conference regular-season championships and five Big South tournament titles while advancing to four NCAA Tournaments in 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2006.
Dannelly was named Big South Coach of the Year a conference-record seven times, earning the honor in 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2003 and 2006. He guided Coastal to 12 Big South Championship game appearances and recorded 48 victories in Big South Championship play.
One of the defining moments of Dannelly's coaching career came in 2000, when the Chanticleers became the first women's athletic program in Big South history to earn a victory in an NCAA Championship event with a win over No. 21 Florida Atlantic. Coastal went on to eliminate Penn State before falling to Arizona State and finished the season nationally ranked at No. 29.
Dannelly's impact on the softball program extended well beyond wins and championships. During his tenure, he coached seven Big South Player of the Year honorees, 64 first-team All-Big South selections and 23 NFCA All-Region honorees. He was also selected as the head coach of both the Big South's 1990-99 and 2000-09 All-Decade Softball Teams.
His contributions to Coastal Carolina, however, reached far beyond the softball field.
Dannelly originally arrived in Conway in 1984 as an assistant athletic director for facilities and assistant baseball coach under then-head coach Bobby Richardson. After spending the 1985 season coaching high school baseball, he returned to Coastal prior to the 1986 season and resumed his duties with the baseball program. He remained an assistant baseball coach until taking over the Chanticleer softball program in 1988.
Following his 22 seasons as head softball coach, Dannelly remained an integral part of Coastal Carolina Athletics as an administrator. During his career, he held responsibilities in community outreach, game operations, facilities and compliance and helped organize and lead the University's Letterwinners Association, maintaining his connection with former Chanticleer student-athletes and strengthening the bond between generations of Coastal Carolina Athletics alumni.
Dannelly's contributions were recognized with induction into the George F. "Buddy" Sasser Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011. He was inducted into the USC Salkehatchie Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Big South Conference Hall of Fame in 2015.
A native of Ehrhardt, S.C., Dannelly began his collegiate coaching career at USC Salkehatchie, where he founded the school's baseball program in 1975. He served as head baseball coach and athletic director for nine seasons, compiling a 273-214 (.561) record. During the program's inaugural season, Dannelly and his players helped build the school's baseball field, including sodding the field themselves, while playing their games at a local high school field.
Across his baseball and softball coaching career, Dannelly accumulated more than 1,000 victories.
A USC Salkehatchie alumnus, Dannelly earned his bachelor's degree in health and physical education from the University of South Carolina in 1974.
Dannelly is survived by his wife, Wendy, and their two sons, Mckewn and Travis.
Information regarding services and arrangements will be shared when available.
Dannelly, who first joined Coastal Carolina Athletics in 1984, served the University in numerous capacities throughout his career, most notably as the head coach of the Chanticleer softball program for 22 seasons from 1988-2009. Following his coaching career, he continued his service to Coastal as an associate athletic director, including serving as Associate Athletic Director for Community Outreach and executive director of the Letterwinners Association.
"Coach Dannelly's impact on Coastal Carolina Athletics is immeasurable," said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and University Recreation Chance Miller. "For more than four decades, Jess dedicated himself to this University and to the countless student-athletes, coaches and staff members who had the privilege of knowing him. He was a championship coach and an accomplished administrator, but his legacy extends far beyond wins and titles. Jess cared deeply about people and about Coastal Carolina. The relationships he built throughout his life are a reflection of the kind of man he was. We are forever grateful for everything he gave to our University and our athletics department, and our thoughts are with Wendy, Mckewn, Travis and the entire Dannelly family."
One of the most accomplished coaches in Coastal Carolina Athletics history, Dannelly compiled 669 victories during his 22 seasons leading the Chanticleers. His teams captured six Big South Conference regular-season championships and five Big South tournament titles while advancing to four NCAA Tournaments in 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2006.
Dannelly was named Big South Coach of the Year a conference-record seven times, earning the honor in 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2003 and 2006. He guided Coastal to 12 Big South Championship game appearances and recorded 48 victories in Big South Championship play.
One of the defining moments of Dannelly's coaching career came in 2000, when the Chanticleers became the first women's athletic program in Big South history to earn a victory in an NCAA Championship event with a win over No. 21 Florida Atlantic. Coastal went on to eliminate Penn State before falling to Arizona State and finished the season nationally ranked at No. 29.
Dannelly's impact on the softball program extended well beyond wins and championships. During his tenure, he coached seven Big South Player of the Year honorees, 64 first-team All-Big South selections and 23 NFCA All-Region honorees. He was also selected as the head coach of both the Big South's 1990-99 and 2000-09 All-Decade Softball Teams.
His contributions to Coastal Carolina, however, reached far beyond the softball field.
Dannelly originally arrived in Conway in 1984 as an assistant athletic director for facilities and assistant baseball coach under then-head coach Bobby Richardson. After spending the 1985 season coaching high school baseball, he returned to Coastal prior to the 1986 season and resumed his duties with the baseball program. He remained an assistant baseball coach until taking over the Chanticleer softball program in 1988.
Following his 22 seasons as head softball coach, Dannelly remained an integral part of Coastal Carolina Athletics as an administrator. During his career, he held responsibilities in community outreach, game operations, facilities and compliance and helped organize and lead the University's Letterwinners Association, maintaining his connection with former Chanticleer student-athletes and strengthening the bond between generations of Coastal Carolina Athletics alumni.
Dannelly's contributions were recognized with induction into the George F. "Buddy" Sasser Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011. He was inducted into the USC Salkehatchie Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Big South Conference Hall of Fame in 2015.
A native of Ehrhardt, S.C., Dannelly began his collegiate coaching career at USC Salkehatchie, where he founded the school's baseball program in 1975. He served as head baseball coach and athletic director for nine seasons, compiling a 273-214 (.561) record. During the program's inaugural season, Dannelly and his players helped build the school's baseball field, including sodding the field themselves, while playing their games at a local high school field.
Across his baseball and softball coaching career, Dannelly accumulated more than 1,000 victories.
A USC Salkehatchie alumnus, Dannelly earned his bachelor's degree in health and physical education from the University of South Carolina in 1974.
Dannelly is survived by his wife, Wendy, and their two sons, Mckewn and Travis.
Information regarding services and arrangements will be shared when available.
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