Longtime Minnesota assistant coach Piper Ritter has been named the next head coach of the Golden Gophers. The school officially announced Ritter’s hiring on Sunday evening.
Ritter is a Minnesota alumna and one of the most decorated pitchers in program history. She has been a member of the coaching staff for 13 seasons and has mentored All-Americans Sara Moulton, Sara Groenewegen, and Amber Fiser.
“I am excited for the future of our softball program,” Minnesota athletic director Mark 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. She was one of the best players ever to wear the Maroon and Gold and consistently developed All-American talent as an assistant coach. Her dedication to Minnesota, meticulous work ethic and attention to detail will serve her well as she makes the transition to head coach.”
She was instrumental in the program’s turn around under former head coach Jessica Allister, as well as the Gophers’ first-ever Women’s College World Series appearance in 2019.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
