Bella Furgason is stepping into her first head coaching job less than three years after her own playing career ended.
Briarwood Christian School announced the hiring of Furgason as the new head coach of its softball program, bringing her over from Samford University, where she spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach.
Furgason takes over the Lions ahead of the upcoming spring season and begins her duties immediately, according to the school.
“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity. I’m excited to build the program, get to know the girls, and see what we can accomplish this season and years to come,” Furgason said.
Furgason joined Samford in 2024 as part of head coach Megan Curry’s first staff, working primarily with the Bulldogs’ infielders and slappers. She also assisted with practice planning, player evaluation, team operations and travel logistics during her two seasons on Lakeshore Drive.
Curry was named the head coach at UAB in July.
Those responsibilities gave her a look at the full scope of running a program, not just the on-field portion.
“I’ve been able to learn from different coaches, work with different players, and see what it takes to build a successful team,” Furgason said. “Those experiences have helped me develop my communication and leadership skills, and I feel like I have a good understanding of what it takes to create a positive and competitive environment.”
A McCalla native, Furgason was a four-year letterwinner at Brookwood High School before beginning her college career at Coastal Alabama Community College. She was a team captain for the Coyotes and earned first team All-South and second team All-Region honors as an infielder in 2022.
She then transferred to Birmingham-Southern College, where she played for Curry and again served as a team captain. As a senior second baseman in 2024, Furgason hit .276 with 27 RBIs and 14 stolen bases and was named first team All-Southern Athletic Association. She graduated from Birmingham-Southern that year with a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a concentration in leadership studies, after previously earning an associate degree in criminal justice at Coastal Alabama.
Briarwood athletics director Sara Wilson said Furgason separated herself during the search with how she talked about the program beyond wins and losses.
“Throughout the hiring process, Bella’s passion for developing young women and building a championship-level culture stood out,” Wilson said. “She understands that success is about much more than what happens on the field. Her commitment to leadership, accountability, relationships, and excellence aligns extremely well with what we want our athletic programs to represent at Briarwood.”
Furgason has a clear picture of what she wants the Lions to look like once she gets on the field with them.
“I want to create an environment where the girls believe in themselves, trust their teammates, and aren’t afraid to compete,” she said. “I want this program to be known for playing hard and competing every pitch, while also continuing to grow as players and as people.”
When she is not at the field, Furgason spends her time with her dogs, at church and traveling, along with time with family and friends.