Lander University

Maddie Gibbs enters her second season as Lander's head softball coach. Gibbs was hired in July of 2020 and served as assistant coach for three seasons before taking over the head job after the 2023 season.

During her first year at the helm, Gibbs led the Bearcats to the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, entering the tournament as the fifth seed in the Southeast Regional. The team also achieved a historic milestone with its first NCAA Regional win, defeating Anderson 4-0. Gibbs' leadership was pivotal in transforming the program, as the Bearcats set a new single-season home run record (60) and an impressive single-season slugging percentage (.497).

Gibbs also coached the program's first-ever Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year, Emily Allen. The Bearcats finished the season with an overall record of 33-18, including a strong 15-9 performance in conference play. Gibbs' inaugural year as head coach marked a transformative period for the team, establishing new standards of success and setting the stage for future achievements.

A native of Rincon, Ga., Gibbs served as the assistant coach at Reinhardt from 2018-20, where she helped guide the Eagles to 77 victories in three winning seasons. 

As a player at Reinhardt, Gibbs was a three-time All-Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) performer, and twice a member of the AAC All-Defensive first team. As a senior, Gibbs was a two-time AAC Player of the Week selection, an All-Region performer and an NFCA First Team All-American. Gibbs set a school record with a 23-game hitting streak.

Gibbs earned a Bachelor's of Science in Biology from Reinhardt in 2017.