After two years away from the Waynesburg University softball program, Brett Shimek is returning to lead the Yellow Jackets.

Shimek previously served as the program’s head coach before stepping away from the position. He now returns following the departure of former head coach Chris Brunson, who accepted another coaching position at West Liberty University.

For Shimek, the decision to return came down to timing and his continued passion for coaching.

“When I stepped away two years ago, I felt like it was the right decision for me at that point in my life,” Shimek said. “I was really proud of what we had accomplished as a program and the relationships we had built, but I also felt like it was the right time to step away.”

Although Shimek said he never stopped loving coaching, competing or working with student-athletes, he wanted to make sure returning was the right decision before accepting the opportunity.

“I wouldn’t say the decision was something I took lightly because coaching is a significant commitment, and I wanted to make sure I was ready to give the players and the program everything they deserved,” Shimek said.

After considering the opportunity and discussing it with those closest to him, Shimek felt comfortable returning to Waynesburg.

“I felt really good about coming back,” Shimek said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to start this next chapter.”

One player who is particularly familiar with Shimek’s coaching is senior outfielder Katie Sullivan. Sullivan was part of Shimek’s final recruiting class during his first tenure with the Yellow Jackets.

Sullivan said Shimek’s return gives her an opportunity to play for the coach who originally recruited her to Waynesburg.

“I’m very excited that Brett is back, and I’m excited to play for the coach that recruited me the first time,” Sullivan said.

While Shimek’s return provides familiarity for players such as Sullivan, he said he does not want to simply recreate what the program was during his first tenure.

Two years away gave Shimek an opportunity to reflect on his coaching and gain a different perspective.

“I think you always have to be willing to grow as a coach,” Shimek said. “Having two years away gave me an opportunity to look at some things from a different perspective.”

Shimek said he wants to improve in areas such as patience, communication and giving players more ownership of the program.

“This is a different team with different personalities and different strengths,” Shimek said. “I want to take the lessons I learned the first time, combine them with what I’ve learned since then and figure out what works best for this group.”

Building relationships with his players will be an important part of that process.

Shimek said relationships are at the foundation of coaching and that players need to know their coach genuinely cares about them if they are expected to work hard, accept coaching and hold themselves to high standards.

That includes both the players he coached previously and those he is meeting for the first time.

“I don’t want there to be an old group and a new group,” Shimek said. “This is one team.”

Shimek and the team have already begun working toward building that culture. During the team’s first meeting, players also worked together to clean up the facility in preparation for upcoming camps and showcase tournaments.

“They did a fantastic job while fighting the heat,” Shimek said. “It’s the little things like this that help build your culture, work ethic and support for each other, and we’re off to a great start.”

As the team begins preparing for the 2027 season, Shimek said several qualities will be emphasized: hustle, energy, passion and having fun.

The first year of Shimek’s second tenure will also come with high expectations. While winning remains an important goal, Shimek said success will be measured by more than the team’s record.

“Obviously, we’re competitive and we want to win,” Shimek said. “We want to compete for championships, and I don’t think we should be afraid to have high expectations for ourselves.”

For Sullivan, the team’s goal is straightforward.

“As a senior, my expectations for the season are to win as a team and have the same end goal of winning the PAC championship,” Sullivan said.

Beyond wins and losses, however, both Shimek and Sullivan emphasized the importance of the team’s identity.

Shimek wants the Yellow Jackets to develop into a team that competes regardless of the circumstances and a team that represents Waynesburg well both on and off the field.

“I want people to remember us as a team that competed every single time we stepped on the field, played the game the right way and represented Waynesburg University well,” Shimek said.

He also wants the players to leave the program having developed as people, teammates and leaders.

“Winning is important to me, and we’re going to do everything we can to be successful,” Shimek said. “But years from now, the relationships, the experiences and the type of people these young women become are going to mean a lot more than any individual win or loss.”

Sullivan shares a similar vision for how the team should be remembered at the conclusion of the season.

“I want this team to be remembered as a team that played together as one and always competed either win or loss,” Sullivan said. “And just had fun while playing the game that we all love.”

With Shimek back in the dugout and a senior class preparing for its final season, Waynesburg softball enters 2027 with a familiar coach, a renewed culture and an opportunity to establish its identity.

For Shimek, that identity begins with competing, supporting one another and enjoying the game.

“If we can build our program around hustle, energy, passion, having fun and genuinely supporting one another while working toward the same goal, I think we’ll be building the type of culture we want at Waynesburg,” Shimek said.