Mandy Gardner to be Named Iowa Assistant Coach

Iowa is expected to hire Mandy Gardner as the program’s new assistant coach, sources confirmed to Extra Inning Softball late Friday.

Gardner spent the 2022 season on staff at UC San Diego, working with the program’s pitching staff. Under her guidance, the Tritons led the Big West conference in staff ERA, as well as strikeouts. She also shepherded Jada Cecil, who was named the conference’s Pitcher of the Year after winning 20 games and posting a 1.88 ERA in her rookie season.

Prior to her tenure at UCSD, Gardner spent six years on staff at Grand Canyon, serving as both a graduate and full-time assistant during her tenure.

As a player, Gardner began her career at Michigan and transferred to Maryland after her sophomore season. In addition to her experience in the conference, Gardner also has familial history at Iowa – her grandfather, former college basketball coach Joedy Gardner, coached for the Hawkeyes in the 1980s.