Softball Coaching Changes
The NFCA compiles the latest in coaching changes throughout fastpitch softball. Transactions are grouped by month and updated as they become available. Hyperlinks below link to each school’s official press release. To submit a transaction or if you have an inquiry about job postings, please email Brian Stanley.
January • February • March • April • May
June
UT Tyler (NCAA DII/June 11) - Hired Baylor director of operations Dani Price as its next head coach.
Delaware (NCAA DI/June 11) - Promoted Nikki Andrade to associate head coach.
Minnesota (NCAA DI/June 9) - Hired Augustana associate head coach Kelsey Thompson in the same role. Named Minnesota Duluth head coach Nat Wagner and FAU assistant coach Nicole Newman as assistant coaches.
Tennessee (NCAA DI/June 9) - Named Texas associate head coach Ehren Earleywhine in the same role.
Gettysburg (NCAA DIII/June 9) - Removed interim tag for head coach Madelyn Yanneti.
Missouri (NCAA DI/June 9) - Hired Matthew Guemmer as an assistant coach.
Kansas (NCAA DI/June 8) - Hired Missouri assistant coach Jason Gwyn in the same role.
Elon (NCAA DI/June 8) - Alumna Kara Shutt returned as an associate head coach and fellow alum Carley Davis was promoted to assistant coach.
Colorado State (NCAA DI/June 8) - Hired longtime Northwestern assistant coach Michelle Gascoigne as head coach.
Illinois (NCAA DI/June 6) - Hired Yolanda McRae as an assistant coach.
University of Mary (NCAA DII/June 5) - Announced Christian Brothers head coach Tara Wheeler as its new head coach.
Bradley (NCAA DI/June 5) - Announced the hiring of Lynn Anderson as head coach.
Northwestern State (NCAA DI/June 5) - Named Southern Arkansas head coach Jason Anderson to the same role.
Nebraska (NCAA DI/June 5) - Hired four-time first-team NFCA All-American Jordy Frahm as an assistant coach.
Tulsa (NCAA DI/June 5) - Arkansas associate head coach DJ Gasso hired as head coach.
Virginia (NCAA DI/June 5) - Head coach Joanna Hardin's contract extended through 2029 season.
Nichols (NCAA DIII/June 3) - Named Anna Maria head coach Brian Claypool to same position.
Northwood (NCAA DII/June 3) - Assistant coach Brittney Horan elevated to head coach.
Purdue Northwest (NCAA DII/June 3) - Removed the interim tag from head coach Claire Schapker.
Nebraska (NCAA DI/June 3) - Associate head coach Lori Sippel announced her retirement after 37 seasons.
South Dakota (NCAA DI/June 3) - Promoted associate head coach Shannon Pivovar to head coach.
MidAmerica Nazarene (NAIA/June 2) - Head coach Jen Felvus resigned after four seasons.
Youngstown State (NAIA DI/June 2) - Erin Pond elevated to head coach.
Illinois (NCAA DI/June 2) - Illini alum and former Ohio head coach Jenna Hall hired in the same role.
Dakota Wesleyan (NAIA/June 1) - Head coach Stephen Oswald Jr. departs after one season.
Gardner-Webb (NCAA DI/June 1) - Head coach Bailey Wigness' contract was not renewed.
Northwood (NCAA DII/June 1) - Head coach Gregg Sauve announced his retirement from collegiate coaching.
Baylor (NCAA DI/May 29) - Hired Northwestern State's Jenny and Brad Fuller as assistant coaches.
Cumberlands (NAIA/May 29) - Head coach Bruce Lenington stepped down after one season.
Marshall (NCAA DI/May 28) - Head Coach Morgan Zerkle has agreed to a contract extension through the 2030 season.
Northwest Nazarene (NCAA DII/May 27) - Rich Wagner resigned as head coach.
Houston Christian (NCAA DI/May 27) - Bert Emanuel, founder and head coach of Texas KAOS (2005-17) hired as head coach.
Jessup (NCAA DII/May 27) - Elevated associate head coach Mark Watson to head coach.
Northwest Nazarene (NCAA DII/May 27) - Head coach Rich Wagner stepped down after 14 seasons.
Simmons (NCAA DIII/May 27) - Removed interim tag from head coach Maddie Castigliego.
Omaha (NCAA DI/May 26) - Head coach Mike Heard agreed to a contract extension through at least the end of the 2030 season.
Jessup (NCAA DII/May 23) - Head coach Brie Campbell stepped down to assume full-time responsibilities as Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA).
USC Aiken (May 18/NCAA DII) - Head coach Jaclin Poole resigned after six seasons.
Youngstown State (May 14/NCAA DI) - Head coach Brian Campbell retires after 18 years at Youngstown State and 30 years in collegiate coaching.
Wilkes (May 14/DIII) - Promoted Casey Carpenter to assistant athletic director for game operations and head softball coach, following the departure of longtime head coach Jackie Klahold.
Dartmouth (May 12/NCAA DI) - Head coach Jen Williams stepped down after eight seasons.
Coker (May 11/NCAA DII) - Steven Welsh named interim head coach.
Tulsa (May 8/NCAA DI) - Will not renew the contract of head coach Crissy Strimple.
Minnesota (May 8/NCAA DI) - The university has parted ways with head coach Piper Ritter.
St. Edward's (May 4/NCAA DII) - Head coach Bailey Post resigned from her position.
Roosevelt (May 4/NCAA DII) - Head coach Michelle Alexander will not return in 2027.
Illinois (May 4/NCAA DI) - Head coach Tyra Perry will not return for the 2027 season.
Mary (May 4/NCAA DII) - Head coach Amy Schmeckpeper will not return in 2027.
Longwood (May 4/NCAA DI) - Dr. Megan Brown will not return as the program's head coach in 2027.
Towson (May 2/NCAA DI) - Head coach Lisa Costello announced her retirement after 33 season, the last 31 as head coach.
Hannibal-LaGrange (May 1/NAIA) - Longtime head coach Dan Hurst announced his retirement after 25 years with the program.
Grambling (April 29/NCAA DI) - Interim head coach D'Maria Matthews will not return in 2027.
East Texas A&M (April 28/NCAA DI) - Head coach Brittany Miller will not return for the 2026-27 season.
Houston Christian (April 7/NCAA DI) - Mary-Ellen Hall, head coach for the last 35 years, announced she will retire from coaching at the end of the season. She will continue in her role at Senior Woman Administrator.
Utah State (March 17/NCAA DI) - Head coach Todd Judge has resigned. Assistant coach Shelby Thompson will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Texas (Feb. 3/NCAA DI) - Announced the promotion of Kristen Zaleski to associate head coach.
Florida (Jan. 16/NCAA DI) - Kendra Falby and Kara Hammock hired as student assistant coaches.
Arizona State (Jan. 15/NCAA DI) - Hired 20-year coaching veteran John Bargfeldt as its new pitching coach.
Bradley (Jan. 14/NCAA DI) - Head coach Sarah Willis stepped down.
Concordia Moorhead (Jan. 12/NCAA DIII) - Announced program alum Cora Zackrison has been hired as head coach.
UT Tyler (Jan. 9/NCAA DII) - NFCA Hall of Famer Mike Reed announced his retirement from coaching. Jason Miller will serve as interim head coach for the 2026 season.
Concordia Moorhead (Jan. 9/NCAA DIII) - Announced head coach Annika Seedborg is stepping down as head coach to return to California and be closer to her family.
Florida Memorial (Jan. 6/NAIA) - Named Miguel "Bookie" Nunez as its new head softball coach. Nunez previously coached at FMU from 2010-2015.