Northwestern softball is hoping to make its second consecutive appearance in the Women's College World Series. In the dugout giving instructions are a pair of mirror images.
Kate Drohan has been the Wildcats' head coach since 2002. She has overseen the program's most successful period since the 1980s, embracing a "tough love" mentality that has adapted well to the modern college game.
She's joined on staff by her twin sister, Caryl Drohan. Caryl is the associate head coach, operating as a sort of co-head coach.
They're more different than similar in some ways, but that contrast helps to make them so effective. And as their careers have developed, so, too, has their relationship with one another.
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“They are incredibly different in coaching styles, in leadership styles and personality,” former player Kristin Jensen told The Daily Northwestern in 2014. “The combination of that is what makes them such a successful tandem.”
Are Kate and Caryl Drohan twins?
One glimpse of Kate and Caryl and the answer is obvious. The Drohan sisters are twins.
They are also softball fanatics. The two starred at Providence College before embarking on coaching careers.
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Both entered the coaching ranks shortly after their playing careers ended: Caryl with the Friars, Kate at Boston College. Kate made the move to Evanston in 1998 and began soaking up as much knowledge as possible from longtime coach Sharon Drysdale. When Drysdale stepped down, Kate was hired as her successor. She then pried her twin from Hofstra's coaching staff.
The rest is history. The Drohans have racked up 744 wins while at the helm of the Wildcats, a program record.
They are committed to the cause — and each other. The twins have been through it all over the years.
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They're working in the dugout together. And that's enough for them.
"Working with Caryl is like a dream come true," Kate Drohan said, per Northwestern's website.
This year, they're dreaming of a return to Oklahoma City. To get there, they'll have to go through Alabama in the NCAA super regional series. Game 1 of the best-of-three series between the 12-seed Wildcats and 5-seed Crimson Tide is Friday night in Tuscaloosa.