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.

“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 is well respected by coaches around the country, too.

Linda Wells, Hall of Fame softball head coach (Arizona State, 1990-05; Minnesota, 1974-75, 77-89), said, “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.”

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 cannot wait to meet all the players and discuss the next steps we will take as a softball program,” Gardner said.

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.