OREM, Utah — Utah Valley softball head coach Cody Thomson has announced the hiring of former BYU standout and Utah Tech assistant Marissa Chavez to his coaching staff.

"I'm excited to add coach Marissa Chavez to my coaching staff," said Thomson. "She's going to bring a wealth of knowledge in the infield and as a hitting coach. She is also going to bring great energy and culture to the locker room."

Chavez spent the last two seasons in St. George as an assistant coach with the Trailblazers. Prior to Utah Tech, Chavez began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at D-III Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham in New Jersey during the 2023 season. 

In 2025, Chavez helped coach a potent Trailblazer lineup that had eight players hit .300 or better — including second team All-WAC selection LB Kahahawai-Kekona — and averaged 5.16 runs per game, the third-best in the WAC.

Chavez returns to Utah County after a highly successful collegiate playing career just up the road at BYU. Chavez was a three-time All-WCC selection — twice as first team and once as second team — and appeared in 162 games over her five-year playing career. As a Cougar, Chavez posted a career .306 batting average with 12 home runs, 24 doubles, and 65 RBIs. 

A native of Covina, Calif., Chavez graduated from BYU in 2022 with a Bachelors degree in Public Health, and received Masters degrees in Public Administration and Public Health from Fairleigh Dickinson earlier this year.