New Mexico Highlands Athletic Director Andrew Ehling has named Kevin Jannusch to be the new head softball coach for the Cowgirls. Jannusch comes to Las Vegas after a year as the assistant coach at Missouri Valley College, an NAIA institution in Marshall.
"I want to thank Dr. Minner and Coach Ehling for this opportunity. I am excited to meet the players and get to Las Vegas," Jannusch said. "I am well aware of RMAC softball and its competitiveness. It's a tough league. I look forward to working with our student-athletes towards becoming a team everyone can be proud of."
Jannusch spent a season as an assistant coach with Colorado-Mesa (then Mesa State) back in 2008. According to Jannusch, there is an energy in the athletics department that was irresistible, "I could tell there is a new excitement in the staff members I talked with in the coaching staff at Highlands. Coach Ehling's leadership is one that coaches get excited about. I want to be a part of the stability and culture he brings to campus."
Jannusch logged 11 years as a head coach at both Ashford University (Iowa) from 2010-16 and the University of Incarnate Word (Texas), from 2002-07. His overall head coaching record is 290-282. Ashford closed its campus doors after the 2016 season, but not before the Saints claimed its first conference title in program history. The National Tournament appearance was also Ashford's first-ever.
"Coach Jannusch's experience speaks for itself. His ability to build relationships and sustain success will be a great addition to the Cowgirl Softball program and Highlands as a whole." stated NMHU Athletics Director Andrew Ehling.
Ashford won a record 30 games in their final season, and Jannusch coached four NFCA all-region student-athletes. In all, Jannusch had eight all-region selections in just six seasons. Ashford softball student-athletes were recognized 33 times on the all-conference list, in both the Midwest Collegiate Conference and the Association of Independent Institutions.
In May of 2016, three Saints were inducted into the Ashford University Athletics Hall of Fame: Outfielder Alex Bitto, catcher Shelby Hobelman and pitcher Nicole Schmidt, all playing their entire careers under Jannusch. He is the all-time winningest coach in AU softball history. Jannusch is also a member of the Ashford Athletics Hall of Fame.
During his time at Incarnate Word, Jannusch's teams flourished. The best season came in 2007, when the Cardinals finished with a school-record 46 wins, and a runner-up finish in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Tournament. Re-writing the single-season record book, the Cardinals earned the first-ever D2 ranking for the program, peaking at No. 14 in the 2007 postseason poll. Jannusch is second all-time in wins at UIW.
Other stops include Texas State (1996), St. Edwards (1997-2000), Evansville (2007), Lincoln (2009), Texas-San Antonio (2017) and Kansas Wesleyan (2018). Jannusch also founded and coached the Hearts of Texas Girls Fastpitch Club, from 1997-2007.
A long-time member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, Jannusch obtained a bachelor's degree in sports management from Colorado Mesa, in Grand Junction.
What they are saying…
"Kevin is a great addition to softball in New Mexico. He has great passion for the game and his experience will be invaluable on the recruiting trail. This is a big win for New Mexico Highlands. Congratulations to all!" – Kathy Rodolf, Head Softball Coach, New Mexico State University
"New Mexico Highlands got a steal with Coach J. I can't think of anyone more deserving. His ability to take athletes and turn them into blue-collar, competitive young women is unmatched. I wish the team the best under Coach J."– Lexie Elkins, Assistant Coach, University of Houston; 3x Division I All-American at Louisiana-Lafayette & #1 pick 2016 NPF Draft
"Coach Jannusch built the program at Ashford University from the ground up. He did an outstanding job of managing all aspects of the softball program, from player personnel, to budget management, to the development of a positive team culture. Coach J. incorporated a character-building philosophy into the program and that helped the team achieve unprecedented success not only on the field, but in the classroom and community as well. I'm excited to watch him succeed in this new opportunity."– Meg Schebler, NAIA Hall-of-Famer & Former Athletic Director, Ashford University
"New Mexico Highlands University, its athletic's program and the softball team just hit a homerun and got better with the hire of Coach Kevin Jannusch. First and foremost, he is going to care about his players more as human beings than he is as softball players. He truly believes in holistically developing his young women and making a positive impact and difference in their lives. Graduating and caring for his players will always come first!"
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"Coach J. brings a very unique skill set with him, in that he is extremely well rounded and can coach all aspects of the game without degradation. He is technically and tactically very sound, and he is a detail dominator without over-coaching. His teams will always be well skilled and well drilled. Coach J. is going to relentlessly recruit, and his evaluation skills are through the roof. While we are very happy for New Mexico Highlands and Coach J., he will be sorely missed here."– Jason Marcum, Head Softball Coach, Missouri Valley College
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