Melissa Inouye was named head softball coach at Iona College in July of 2012.  Inouye spent the 2011-12 season as an assistant coach at Fordham University.

"Melissa's experience and passion were important qualities that showed me why she was the right choice to be our next softball head coach," said Marshall.  "I'm excited to have Melissa on board as we build one of the nation's premier winning programs and look to repeat as MAAC Champions for a fourth consecutive season, and beyond."

At Fordham, Inouye helped coach a team that finished second in the competitive Atlantic 10 Conference and whose season included an upset win over the eventual national champion Alabama Crimson Tide.

Inouye assisted in hitting breakdown and drill progression to increase the team's offensive production.  A season ago, the Rams led the A-10 in numerous offensive categories, including hits and home runs, and second in doubles, walks and strikeouts against.  At Fordham, Inouye created and directed the team's booster club and served as the head travel coordinator.

Prior to joining the staff at Fordham, she spent four seasons on the staff at Southern Mississippi.  At Southern Miss, she oversaw the pitching staff and assisted with the defense and hitting. She had three players earn All-Conference USA accolades and one chosen for the Conference USA All-Freshman team.

Prior to her stint at Southern Miss, Inouye spent three years as an assistant coach at Kentucky. In Lexington, she held down a myriad of responsibilities including recruiting coordinator, outfield coach, compliance liasion, co-director of camps and director of the squad's booster club. Prior to working at Kentucky, she spent time as an assistant coach at Northwestern State (Natchitoches, LA) and served as a volunteer coach at her Alma Mater, UNLV.

She was a two-year starter at UNLV, playing first base and catcher, and was named team captain. She was a three-time Academic All-Mountain West Conference team selection, a seven-time UNLV Dean's List honoree and received the Coaches Award her senior year.

She earned bachelor's degrees in recreation and leisure studies and in fitness management in 2002 and a master's in sports leadership from Kentucky in 2007.