Lander University announces Maddie Gibbs promoted to Head Softball Coach

From April 25, 2023 post.

Lander Athletic Director Brian Reese announced that softball assistant Maddie Gibbs is being promoted to head coach, replacing Glen Crawford, who is leaving at the end of the season to be the Athletic Director at Columbia College. 

"I am excited that Maddie has agreed to be the head softball coach here at Lander," Reese said. "Maddie has been a huge part of the program's success in her time in Greenwood. We feel confident that she will continue to build on the success that Glen has brought back to the softball program." 

Gibbs played at Reinhardt University under Crawford and was a three-time All-Conference performer, and was twice named to the Appalachian Athletic Conference All-Defensive first-team. As a senior, she was an All-Region selection, an NFCA First Team All-American, and set the school record with a 23-game hitting streak. 

After graduating with a Biology degree, Maddie was an assistant coach for the Eagles from 2018-20, helping guide Reinhardt to 77 wins in three seasons. She then joined the Lander staff in July 2020 and helped lead Lander to 78 wins, including 35 in 2022. The 35 wins were the most since 1999, and the Bearcats finished third in the PBC. 

On being named seventh head coach in program history, Gibbs said, "I want to thank President Cosentino and Athletic Director Brian Reese for affording me this opportunity. I can't thank Coach Crawford enough for all he has done to help me grow and prepare me for this position. Coach Crawford has built a strong foundation here at Lander, and I am ecstatic to continue building on our success and expect to have moving into the conference tournament this weekend. CLAWSUP"

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Original source can be found here.