by BGSU Strategic Communications
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe has announced the hiring of Michelle Gardner as head softball coach. Gardner, who has a wealth of coaching experience, returns to BGSU, where her coaching career began in 1992, and where she was part of a coaching staff that oversaw the program’s last regular-season softball championship in 1993.
Gardner, the 10th head coach in Falcon softball history, will be formally introduced at a press conference on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. in Schmidthorst Heritage Hall in the Stroh Center.
”Michelle Gardner has been part of success at every step of her career that has spanned nearly 40 years as a player, assistant coach and head coach,” said van der Merwe. “She has been transformative in leading programs, taking a Nevada program that started after a 14-year hiatus to multiple conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. She spent nearly a decade in the Big Ten at Indiana as the head coach, reached the College World Series with Arizona State as an assistant, and achieved NCAA Tournament success at Florida State. Michelle also began her coaching career at Bowling Green in 1992, and now she returns as our head coach. She is highly skilled in all facets of the game and her experience, knowledge, and leadership will be pivotal as we strive to elevate our program to new heights. After an extensive review of her past, credentials, and references, it was clear she has earned the respect of her peers and players and is considered a highly respected coach in this profession. We are thrilled to welcome her back to BGSU and look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly have on our student-athletes and the broader Bowling Green community.”
Gardner comes to BGSU after spending the last two and a half years as the associate head coach at Coastal Carolina. Gardner, who primarily worked with the pitching staff at CCU, helped the Chanticleers to a pair of 30-win seasons and an overall record of 70-41. The Chants went 34-21 overall in 2024 after posting a 36-20 record the prior season. Gardner’s impressive resume also includes 15 years as head coach at Nevada (2003-08) and Indiana (2009-17).
“I would like to thank President Rogers, Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe, and Deputy AD Stacy Kosciak for this incredible opportunity,” said Gardner. “It is an honor to lead the BGSU softball program, as well as joining this athletic department and the entire BGSU community. I cannot wait to meet all the players and discuss the next steps we will take as a softball program. I am very thankful for this opportunity, and we look forward to getting embedded into the Bowling Green community.”
Gardner spent nine years as the head coach at Indiana. During her time in Bloomington, Ind., Gardner eclipsed 380 career wins, posted a top 25 national ranking, and coached the 2011 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year. The Hoosiers had 17 players receive All-Big Ten honors in that time, along with seven NFCA All-Region selections and 77 Academic All-Big Ten selections. Gardner led the Hoosiers to a 30-25 record in 2012, and by reaching 30 wins, it was the first time since 1989 and 1990 that the Hoosiers posted back-to-back 30-win seasons (37 wins in 2011).
Gardner’s first head coaching gig came when she was hired by Nevada in December of 2001 when the university decided to bring softball back as a varsity sport following a 14-year hiatus. The Wolf Pack began competing in the WAC with the start of the 2003 season and Gardner led them to 22 overall wins, the first of six consecutive seasons with 20-plus wins.
Named the 2008 Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year at Nevada, she also picked up the 2008 NFCA West Region Staff of the Year award. Gardner’s time in Reno, Nev., saw the Wolfpack reach the NCAA Regionals twice (2006 and 2008) and earn two WAC Championships (2006 and 2008). Gardner was inducted into Nevada’s Hall of Fame in 2023. Gardner coached 34 Academic All-WAC selections, 21 WAC Players of the Week, 13 preseason All-WAC selections, 21 postseason All-WAC honorees, eight WAC All-Tournament selections, three NFCA All-West Region honorees, one WAC Tournament MVP, and the 2008 WAC Player of the Year, Vanessa Briones, during her tenure at Nevada.
Before heading up the Nevada program, Gardner was an assistant coach at Arizona State (1999-2001) and Florida State (1995-1998) helping lead both schools to NCAA Regional appearances and a College World Series appearance at Arizona State in 1999. She was also an assistant coach at Bowling Green (1992-93) and a hitting and pitching instructor at the high school level. Prior to joining the Coastal staff in 2022, Gardner served as the pitching coach for the Israel National Team.
A 1989 graduate of the University of Michigan, Gardner (Michelle Bolster) played under Hall of Fame coach Carol Hutchins, where she was named an ASA All-American, Big Ten Player of the Year, and was a first-team all-region selection. She was a co-captain and MVP on Michigan’s 1988 squad. Additionally, she pitched in three Olympic Festivals. Gardner also took part in the 1996 Olympic Trials when softball debuted as an Olympic medal sport.
A native of Petersburg, Mich., Gardner (Bolster) was an all-state softball player at Summerfield High School. She led Summerfield to a 26–1 record and a state championship in 1984.
Gardner is married to William “Gard” Gardner, and they have three children, Lucas, Jilliyn, and Lydia.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT MICHELLE GARDNER
“I am excited and happy for Michelle Gardner to begin her new journey. Bowling Green and Michelle are a perfect fit. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise, and I think Michelle will flourish at Bowling Green. Michelle will connect well with players, coaches, administrators, and fans! Congrats to Michelle and Derek van der Merwe.”
– Carol Hutchins, Winningest all-time college softball head coach/hall of fame softball head coach (Michigan, 1985-2022)
“What a great addition to the Bowling Green athletics staff and softball program. Michelle Gardner brings a wealth of knowledge and experience about the game of softball. Her pitching expertise is well known as a coach, and she benefits from having been herself an outstanding pitcher. By no means one dimensional, she is schooled in all aspects of the game, can recognize, and develop talent, and will be able to spread her love for the game throughout the program, University, and community. Congratulations to Michelle and to Bowling Green softball.”
– Linda Wells, Hall of Fame softball head coach (Arizona State, 1990-05; Minnesota, 1974-75, 77-89)
“I was excited to learn that Michelle Gardner was named the new head softball coach at BGSU. We were both head coaches together at Indiana University and I always respected her work ethic, drive and grit during our time together. Derek [van der Merwe] continues to add outstanding coaches to the Falcon family that have a history of success and a vision to build winning cultures.”
– Curt Miller, Los Angeles Sparks head coach/MAC and BGSU Hall of Fame member/former BGSU women’s basketball head coach (2001-12)
“I believe Bowling Green has hit a home run with the hiring of Michelle Gardner as their new softball coach. She possesses all the experience needed in today’s fast changing environment. I am excited for Michelle, her family and BGSU!”
– Jacquie Joseph, former BGSU head softball coach (1989-93)/former Michigan State head softball coach (1994-22)/NFCA hall of famer
“Michelle is a proven winner and an amazing human being. She will bring a ton of energy and excitement to Bowling Green, and I look forward to seeing her lift the program to new heights.”
– Kelley Green, Coastal Carolina head softball coach
“Coach Gardner is an exceptional hire for the Falcons program. I have had the privilege of playing for her and have witnessed her exceptional leadership, passion, competitiveness, and dedication to developing student-athletes first-hand. She is not only an excellent recruiter but also possesses an unrivaled drive to build a competitive softball program. Her expertise in pitching and all aspects of the game is unmatched, ensuring BGSU’s success year after year. I am very excited to see the new heights she takes the Falcons to.”
– Amanda Wagner, former Indiana infielder and All-Big Ten performer
“I am thrilled with Michelle’s decision to return to Bowling Green. As a former BGSU player and current alum and advisory member, Michelle’s background brings the opportunity to re-establish a winning program. As a successful player and coach, she will bring the foundational knowledge and skills to rebuild the program to be MAC Champion contenders. I could not be happier for Michelle and the softball team! Go Falcons!”
– Jennifer Wolf, BGSU Softball Advisory Board Member/member of the last BGSU regular season MAC championship squad (1993)/MAC Freshman of the Year (1993) as a pitcher under Coach Gardner’s guidance
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