LA JOLLA, Calif. – UC San Diego softball has a new addition to its coaching staff in its second Division I season. With 25 years of combined playing and coaching experience, Amanda Gardner officially joined the coaching staff in August 2021 as the program's pitching coach. Gardner comes to La Jolla after spending six seasons with the Grand Canyon University softball program.

"We are excited to have Mandy joining our staff as the new pitching coach," said UC san Diego softball head coach Patti Gerckens. "She brings knowledge and passion for the game. Our pitchers are already learning so much from her. Additionally, she will be coaching the corners and catchers. I believe she will be a great addition to our staff."
 
For three seasons (2019-21), Gardner served as the Lopes' pitching coach. In her first season as an assistant, Gardner led the GCU pitching staff to the top ERA in conference play at 1.85. In addition, during her tenure four Grand Canyon pitchers received all-Western Athletic Conference accolades.
 
During her tenure with GCU, Gardner coached a pitching staff with a nationally ranked staff ERA for multiple years and coached pitchers who had top 5 career and season statistics in earned run average (ERA), batting average against (BAA), shutouts, career wins, and strikeouts. She also coached the WAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year in 2020 and 2021.
 
Prior to being named assistant coach in June 2018 at Grand Canyon, Gardner served as a graduate assistant for three seasons (2016-18), assisting the coaching staff in off-field operations as well as practices and on game day operations.
 
Gardner joined the Lopes after a Division I playing career that included a two-year stay at Michigan where she was a two-time Big Ten Champion and three years at Maryland in the ACC/Big Ten. She was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a volunteer for the Special Olympics while pursuing her undergraduate degree.
 
Gardner earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Maryland in 2015. She received her master's in special education from Grand Canyon in 2018 and is currently pursuing her master's in business administration from GCU.
 
She loves spending quality time with family and her husband. Gardner enjoys playing board games and cards, watching movies, and going to the beach. She loves art and practices pastel drawing and calligraphy in her free time. Her passion is working with individuals with disabilities and volunteers frequently at the Special Olympics.
 
UC San Diego athletics welcomes Gardner with excitement as the Tritons begin their second DI season in the Spring.