Michelle Gardner resigned as the head coach of Indiana softball Wednesday.
She leaves after nine seasons.
“I want to thank everyone at Indiana University for the tremendous opportunity to be the head softball coach these last nine years,” Gardner said in a release. “I want to especially thank all of the players and staff who have helped me along the way. While I am excited for new opportunities, it has been an honor to coach at a great institution and wish the program all the best moving forward.”
Assistant coaches Mike Perniciaro and Ben Sorden are expected to remain in their roles at least until Gardner's successor is named. Perniciaro will serve as the interim head coach.
Senior Associate Athletic Director Scott Joraanstad will oversee the program until a new head coach is hired. That search will begin immediately and be led by Joraanstad moving forward and not athletic director Fred Glass.
"We thank Michelle for her dedication and many contributions to Indiana University softball over these last nine years,” Glass said in a release. “I have great respect for Michelle and wish her and her family well in all of their future endeavors.”
Indiana took a step backward from its 29-25 record in 2016 with a 23-31 campaign this past season. The Hoosiers struggled both at the plate and in the circle where they ranked eighth in both categories in the Big Ten.
Part of the pitching struggles could be attributed to a season-ending injury to would-be sophomore ace Josie Wood. She went down before the season started and was never able to build on a freshman campaign that saw her pick up 13 wins and post a 3.69 ERA.
----
• Talk about it inside The Hoops Forum or The Football Forum
• Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
• Follow us on Twitter: @IndianaRivals
• Like us on Facebook.
