Previously an assistant coach at Maryland
ESCANABA, MI – Bay College Athletic Director Matt Johnson has announced the hiring of John Garris as the Head Softball Coach for the Norse.
“Many thanks to the college president, Dr. Nerita Hughes and Athletic Director Matt Johnson, for extending this incredible offer,” said Garris. “What an exciting opportunity it is! The chance to lead the Norse Softball Program to new heights is one I just had to accept. The challenge of leading our athletes on the journey to becoming champions on the field, in the classroom, and in the community to develop themselves for the rest of their lives is something I can wait to get started on.”
Coach Garris continued his thoughts, “the confidence of our AD and the search committee: Beth Berube Travis Blume, and Amy Gibbs has shown in me means so much. I am both honored and excited to be the softball coach at Bay College. The vision Coach Johnson has for the growth of the program is one thing that has really drawn me to Bay. The natural beauty of all of the Upper Peninsula, along with the warmth of the community of Escanaba, makes this such a welcoming place to call home.”
Garris brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position with over 30 years of coaching collegiate softball at a high level. He comes to Bay from the University of Maryland where he has served as an assistant coach since 2021. His roles there included working as the outfield coach, collaborator of game day strategy, camp director, and recruiter. Coach Garris’ efforts helped the Terrapins to their first winning season in eight years in 2022, and saw the program rise to new heights with a 38-19 record in 2023. The program also saw the first Terp named “Extra Inning National Player of the Week” and a NISC All-Tournament Honoree.
Prior to his time with Maryland, John was the Head Softball Coach at Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College at Baton Rouge from 2013 to 2021. During his time at Southern, the Jaguars, who compete at the NCAA Division 1 level in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), routinely qualified for the post season. Garris was named “SWAC Coach of the Year” during his tenure and coached the All-Time Home Run Leader and All-Time Stolen Base Leader during his time at Southern, and also had an athlete named as the “Female Athlete of the Year”.
Coach Garris also had stints at Louisiana Tech University from 2012-2013 as an assistant coach, Samford University from 2007-2009 as an assistant coach, he was the head coach at Shelton State Community College from 2006-2007 where they qualified for the post season and was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Rutgers University from 2004-2006.
John was the Head Coach at Delta State University at the NCAA Division 2 level from 1993-1998. During his tenure there the Statesmen were the Gulf South Conference (GSC) West Division Champions three times. Coach Garris has the second most wins and was the fastest to 150 wins in school history as a coach. There he coached four Hall of Famers, the only student-athlete to have a jersey retired, a “Female Athlete of the Year”, the all-time strikeout leader in school history, and the all-time batting average leader in school history. He also had a team finish the season in the top 10 statistically in fielding percentage while at Delta State. John received “Coach of the Year” honors from the GSC during his time with the Statesmen.
In 1994 Coach Garris founded what is now known as Pinnacle Performance Training and Consulting, whose mission is “Providing camps, coaching instruction, and consulting to softball coaches and athletes worldwide who strive to ‘Be a Champion Everyday!'” The company provides national and international softball consulting services, evaluates softball programs, recommends practice organization, strategies, and drills, offers softball camps and clinics, and mentors new coaches and athletes. Through his organization John has coached clinics all over the country and the internationally, having held events in Peru, Curacao, and Italy.
“I am excited to welcome Coach John Garris to the Bay Family” said Johnson. “His energy, passion, relationship building, recruiting, and teaching ability are pivotal attributes that we were looking for in a head coach and throughout this search. John is the right person to take our softball program to the next level. His work ethic is unmatched, and he brings a wide variety of softball experience to the position. He has had success in every stop of his coaching career. It’s a great day to be a Norse.”
What others are saying about Coach Garris:
“Congratulations on your new head coaching role! Your dedication, leadership, and passion for the game have always inspired those around you. I have no doubt that you’ll bring out the best in your team and lead them to great success. Here’s to new challenges, new victories, and a bright future ahead!”
- Terri Adams – Head Coach – Eastern University
“We’re grateful for the work done by Bechler Leadership in handling this search. It’s rare for a small college to get someone with Coach Garris’ track record and experience, especially this late in the hiring process. Jamy Bechler and his team did what we hired them for – they found us a great coach in very little time at all.”
- Jamy Bechler – Bechler Leadership assisted the Bay College athletics and human resources departments during the search process. Bechler Leadership specializes in helping small college athletic departments find a high-quality pool of candidates in a timely fashion
“Coach Garris is a phenomenal hire for Bay College. His varied and extensive background will prove an asset to the college and the student-athletes. Coach Garris is a man of impeccable character and his work ethic is beyond reproach. Bay College knocked it out of the park with this hire and I look forward to seeing Coach Garris take the Norse softball program to new heights.”
- A.J. Daugherty, Director of Athletics, Calhoun Community College
“John Garris is a great person who makes the people around him shine! He is passionate about the craft of coaching, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and relational. With these great qualities he will make an impact on the team, his peers, and in the community. Bay College is in good hands!”
- Laura Heberling – Pitching Coach – University of Kansas
“Coach Garris is a motivated and experienced coach that holds a vast amount of knowledge about the game. He emphasizes the small details that can be the difference between a win or loss. Not only does he focus on the physical development of his athletes, but also the well-being of his players. He advocates on behalf of his athletes and creates meaningful relationships that last well beyond the playing field.”
- Jaeda McFarland – Outfielder – University of Maryland – 2021-2024 – All-Big Ten First Team (2022, 2024), All-Big Ten Second Team (2023), Big Ten All-Defensive Team (2023, 2024), NFCA All-Midwest Second Team (2023)
“Coach Garris was one of my coaches at the University of Maryland for three years where I worked close with him in the outfield. I’m overjoyed by this news for Coach Garris, your school, and your softball program! Coach Garris has made a lasting impact on my life, as well as my other teammates’ lives, because of the love he has poured into each and every one of us both on and off the softball field. I’ve never met a coach more devoted to his team. There is no one more deserving of this! Bay College is lucky to have themselves a coach like him!”
- Megan Mikami – Outfielder – University of Maryland – 2021-2024 – All-Big Ten Second Team (2022), Big Ten Sportsmanship Honoree (2024)
“I really enjoyed my time with Coach Garris and the fact that he takes the time to get to know his players. He knows the game and has many drills that he is able to use for each player based on their individual skill set. He is very reasonable and helped many players find their roles and places both on the field and off. He is a great guy and I am grateful I have had the chance to get to know him.”
- Trinity Schlotterbeck – Pitcher – University of Maryland – 2020-2023 – Florida Atlantic University – 2024 -Softball America All-American (2024), AAC First Team All-Conference (2024), NFCA DI All-Region First Team (2024), NFCA DI All-American (2024), Big Ten All-Defensive Team (2023), NFCA Midwest All-Region Third Team (2023)
“Coach Garris is an amazing coach who cares A LOT about his players and prioritizes their overall well-being above the outcomes of the game. I will always appreciate his enthusiasm when we saw each other at the field as well as his support of my passion off the field. Coach Garris is the type of coach I wish every player could have!! I loved learning from him and he is by far one of my favorite coaches ever!”
- Courtney Wyche – Pitcher – University of Maryland – 2021-2024 – All-Big Ten Second Team (2023, 2024), Big Ten All-Tournament Team (2024), NFCA Midwest All-Region Second Team (2023)
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