University of Minnesota Athletics Director Mark Coyle announced today that Piper Ritter has been named head softball coach at the University of Minnesota. 

Ritter has been an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota since the 2008 season churning out the top hurlers in program history. She has been a mainstay in the Minnesota softball world since her days as a top pitcher from 2001-2004. 

"I am excited for the future of our softball program," said Athletics Director Mark Coyle. "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."

In her time, Ritter has developed Briana Hassett, Sara Moulton, Sara Groenewegen and now Amber Fiser.  She has coached Gophers to 42 Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors, five All-American accolades, three Big Ten Pitcher of the Year honors, and has coached seventeen no-hitters. 

"The University of Minnesota has given me so much and helped shape the person I am today," Ritter said. "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." 

Ritter helped take the Gophers to new heights in 2019 with the program's first-ever Women's College World Series appearance in the NCAA era. A big reason for the Gophers' success came from the circle. Ace Amber Fiser was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, First Team All-American, Honda Award Finalist, Academic All-District, broke the school record and tied conference record with six Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors and was a two-time NFCA Pitcher of the Week honorees

The Minnesota record book has Ritter's fingertips all over it. She has coached four of the top-5 career strikeout leaders in school history (with herself being the fifth as a player) and the top-two pitchers in win total (with herself being third as a player). 

Academic success has been a staple under Ritter's watch. She has been instrumental to Minnesota's success in the classroom, with 96 student-athletes earning Academic All-Big Ten honors since 2008. The Gophers have also had 12 CoSIDA Academic All-Region and four CoSIDA Academic All-Americans in that span. 

In her playing days, Ritter earned All-Big Ten honors all four years at Minnesota, including a first-team selection in 2003 when she posted 11 shutouts and what was then a single-season record 311 strikeouts. She also garnered NFCA All-Mideast Region accolades three times during her career and led the Gophers to the NCAA Regional Tournament two times (2002 and 2003).

Prior to joining the staff at Minnesota, Ritter served as pitching coach at the University of Northern Colorado for the 2006 season and was an assistant at North St. Paul High School during 2005. After graduating from Minnesota in 2004 with a degree in Kinesiology, she played and coached for one season in the Netherlands. Ritter also played one season in the National Pro Fastpitch League for the Texas Thunder, posting a 3-0 record with a 0.64 ERA.

What They're Saying

Former Gopher head coach and current Stanford head coach Jessica Allister..."What a great day for Minnesota softball. Piper Ritter is widely regarded as one of the best pitching coaches in the game. The steady stream of All-American pitchers she has produced over the past seven years speaks for itself. Gopher softball is in great hands!" 

Michigan head coach and the winningest coach in NCAA softball history Carol Hutchins… "She is a great Minnesota woman and now she gets to lead Minnesota. She offers so much. The timing is perfect for her and she is ready. She's always been a great pitching coach, but she understands the game. She is going to understand what she needs to do. Being the head coach is so much more than just coaching the game. It's about leading women and she's going to be great. I'm happy for her."

Three-time All-American Gopher pitcher Sara Groenewegen... "I couldn't be happier for Coach Ritter. Her passion for this program is invaluable. She helped me grow as a player and a person in four years working with her. I value her as a mentor and am excited to watch her lead the University of Minnesota." 

https://gophersports.com/sports/softball