Pittsburg State athletic director Anthony Crespino announced Monday the hiring of Beau Schultz as the Gorillas’ new softball coach.
Josh Barnes stepped down after two seasons at the helm of the softball program and the Gorillas put together an 86-27 overall record with back-to-back NCAA Division II national tournament appearances. They were 48-11 and hosted the regional last season.
Schultz, a former Gorilla baseball player and former PSU baseball assistant coach, has been the Gorillas’ Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities the previous three years.
“Beau embodies many of the qualities we value at Pitt State,” Crespino said in a media release. “As a former Gorilla student-athlete and longtime member of our athletics staff, he understands this university, our culture and what it means to wear the Gorilla logo.
“He’s a relationship builder, a relentless worker and someone who has earned the respect of our student-athletes, coaches and staff through the way he leads every day. Through his leadership of FCA and his work within our department, Beau has consistently demonstrated an ability to connect with people, develop young leaders and positively impact those around him.
“I have a tremendous amount of confidence in Beau’s ability to lead this program. He understands the game, he understands people and he understands Pitt State.”
Schultz was a three-time all-MIAA catcher for the Gorillas from 2003-05 and then served as an assistant coach under former head coach Steve Bever from 2007-11. He returned to PSU in June 2023 and he’s been the sport administrator for the baseball program the past three years and the softball program for two years. Schultz also led the campus Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) activities the last three years.
“Pitt State is a special place because of its people,” Schultz said. “My goal is to build a culture centered on relationships, accountability and development.
“We want our student-athletes to leave this program better than they found it, both on and off the field. If we do that, we’ll build a team that competes the right way, represents this university with pride and continues to make Gorilla Nation proud.
“I’m honored for the opportunity and excited to get to work.”
Schultz also had been the head baseball coach at his hometown Independence Community College from 2012-18 and the head baseball coach and physical education teacher at Neodesha from 2019-23.
Schultz’s son Bryor played a central role on the Girard baseball state championship team.
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