The search for the next coach of Minnesota’s softball program came to an end today as Athletic Director Mark Coyle announced that Piper Ritter would be taking over the head coaching position.
“I am excited for the future of our softball program,” Coyle said in a statement. “Piper has been part of our team for nearly two decades, and she is the right person for the job.
Ritter has been with the program for nearly two decades, serving as an assistant coach with a focus on the team’s pitching staff. In that time, Ritter’s pitchers were honored as the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week 42 times, Big Ten Pitcher of the Year three times, and had five players honored as All-Americans. She also helped coach 17 no-hitters.
Ritter also played college ball for the Gophers, earning All-Big Ten honors all four seasons with the Gophers. She graduated from the University with a Kinesiology degree in 2004.
“The University of Minnesota has given me so much and helped shape the person I am today,” Ritter said in a statement. “I am thankful to Mark Coyle and the search committee for this opportunity and am excited for the future of the program. I am honored to be a Gopher, and I look forward to continue working with our amazing Minnesota student-athletes.”
