Former Viking Olivia Dean Shares Full-Circle Moment with Coach McWhorter as She Begins Her Head Coaching Career

When Portland State’s softball team had a 10-inning pre-season competition recently with Centralia Community College, there was a most unusual vibe to the event which both coaches described as coming full circle.

Viking Head Coach Meadow McWhorter recruited Centralia’s new head coach Olivia Dean to play shortstop with PSU after a similar contest between the two schools in 2021.  She was drawn to Dean by her “leadership, work ethic and character.  From day one, she embodied what we value in our program—toughness, humility and a commitment to the team above self.  She wasn’t just a good athlete; she was the kind of person you build a culture around.  She made everyone better.”

Dean was also an outstanding player, earning 2nd-team All-Big Sky honors her junior year and 1st-team honors as a senior, when she led the team with a .358 batting average.

McWhorter and her staff were so impressed with Dean’s potential that they asked her to join their staff as an assistant coach when she finished as a player.

Dean was drawn to McWhorter because of her approach to team culture. 

“I always go on and on about the culture coach Meadow has established and that’s one of the main reasons I decided to play for her.  I’ll never forget the first impression of how she made me feel so welcomed and cared for.  She and her coaching staff always care for the person before the athlete.  Knowing her for five years now, she has been someone who I can always rely on as a coach, a mentor and a friend.  I’m so lucky that I was able to play for her,” said Dean.

From the first year McWhorter coached Dean, “I knew she was destined to lead.  Her leadership was never forced or performative.  It was natural, grounded and consistent. She had a unique ability to bring people together, to communicate with empathy and clarity and to uplift those around her.”

So she became a mentor to Dean and said she takes pride in watching her former player develop as a coach.

“Coaching isn’t just a career.  It’s a calling.  Seeing someone you’ve mentored choose the same path feels deeply personal. It’s pride, but it’s also gratitude, knowing you had a small part in shaping a leader who will impact generations of student athletes.  It’s full-circle moments like that which make this profession so meaningful,” McWhorter said.

For her part, Dean gives full credit to her time at PSU and the mentorship and friendship with McWhorter for her decision to get back into coaching after taking some time off.  In fact, it was McWhorter who told her about the Centralia opening and encouraged Dean to apply.     

“It’s fascinating to think that if I hadn’t decided to play for PSU, I never would have been blessed with the opportunities or people I have in my life now.  Playing softball at Portland State has given me so much confidence, not only in my knowledge of the game, but life skills I’ve gained from the coaching staff and the community,” said Dean.  “Through those relationships and the support of my family, I was able to go for this opportunity.”

Dean also learned a lot by watching McWhorter coach.  Her coaching philosophy sounds like something the PSU might have said.

“I want to be able to create an experience for young athletes to feel that they are safe to play freely, learn from their mistakes and find joy in this game,” she said.  She wants her teams to play with “fire and passion, but I want these young women to find values in the life lessons that softball brings because there is so much to learn and apply to life within this sport.”

The bond shared by the two translated into an interesting situation as opposing coaches.

McWhorter noticed the way Dean communicated with her players…”and the calm, confidence presence she carried in the dugout.  She’s taken what she’s learned and added her own spin…her energy, her voice…and that‘s exactly your hope for someone you’ve mentored,”  

And coaching against a friend and former player "was honestly special.  There’s so much pride in watching someone you’ve coached grow into a leader.  It's competitive, of course, but it’s also deeply meaningful…a full circle moment.  You want to win, but you also can’t help but root for them,” she said.

Dean said she knew “PSU was going to be competitive and bring energy no matter the day and that’s what they did.  PSU takes pride in being loud, having fun and choosing to show up every day,” she said.

And the score?  Neither coach was interested in talking about that.

 “I thought our contest was so fun.  It was a great way to get our team to play at a high level of competition.  As soon as I walked up to shake Meadows’s hand (followed by a hug), I immediately got the chills.  It just felt like such a full-circle moment, and there was so much support from friends, family and, of course, the PSU coaching staff,” Dean said.

Final thoughts from a deeply meaningful meeting?

McWhorter:  “Olivia is just getting started and her trajectory is exciting.  She’s intentional, reflective and hungry to keep learning…all traits of great coaches.  I have no doubt she’ll leave every program she touches better than she found it.  Watching her success fills me with immense pride, not just as her former coach but as someone who truly believes in her purpose.”

Dean:  “I’ll just say that through the process of me becoming a head coach, all of the PSU coaches have been such amazing resources and mentors for me.  This was a very daunting process, but they have been there for me every step of the way, and I appreciate them so much for that.”