Daniel Sperl

Title

Head Coach
Email

dsperl@csub.edu

Cal State Bakersfield Director of Athletics Kyle Conder has announced the hiring of Daniel Sperl as just the fourth Head Coach in the history of the Roadrunner softball team following a national search. Sperl takes the reins of the Bakersfield program with over ten years of collegiate softball coaching experience to rely on.

"I am excited for Dan to lead CSUB Softball," Conder said of his first coaching hire as CSUB's Director of Athletics. "His commitment to CSUB Athletics and our student-athletes is tremendous. We are fortunate to have someone with his coaching experience and acumen on our staff."

Current Assistant Coach Christine Hipa has been retained and a search to identify a pitching coach is underway.

"With Dan and Chris, our program is ready to move forward together," Conder added. "I am also very proud of our CSUB Softball student-athletes. Their resolve and dedication to each other is testament to their high character and values."

Sperl's most recent coaching stop was as the First Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for Jacksonville University in 2010 and 2014-2015. During his pair of seasons with the Dolphins, Sperl helped the team return to its winning ways and make a return trip to the postseason.

Working with the JU hitters, Sperl improved the team slash line from .255/.341/.372 to .284/.373/.434, with overall run production jumping from 168 to 267. He also coached the Dolphin outfield unit, which led the Atlantic Sun Conference in both assists and fielding percentage. Meanwhile, Sperl oversaw the program's fundraising, donor relations, camps, and public relations, social media, and community engagement efforts.

"I'm thrilled for this opportunity and ready to take on the challenge of elevating softball at CSUB," Sperl said. "I want to thank Kyle Conder, Cindy Goodmon and Chris Asa for their belief and support, and recognize the commitment the university has made to our sport. Everything we need is in place for our program to be competitive at the top of The Big West; that is our goal and the process begins now. Finally, I want to express my appreciation and admiration for the efforts of our softball student-athletes and the work they have put in throughout the offseason, along with their determination to reverse the fortunes of a softball program that means so much to them."

Prior to his time in Florida, Sperl spent four seasons at Division I George Washington University. While Sperl served in the same role as First Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, the GW coaching staff inherited a six-win program, improving to 16 wins in their first season before advancing to consecutive conference tournaments and the 2012 Atlantic 10 Championship Game. He helped change the program culture, establishing team values of academic and competitive excellence, work ethic, growth and ambition, and belief.

While at GW, Sperl established deep recruiting connections across the country, specifically in the state of California, landing nine All-Freshman honorees, 12 All-Conference selections, three All-Regional choices – including Stockdale High School graduate and Bakersfield native, Victoria Valos – an All-American and 34 All-League Scholar Athletes.

He mentored the program's hitters and outfielders, leading an offensive attack that improved across the board and set then GW records for doubles, home runs, walks and stolen bases in 2013, and an outfield group that posted school records for putouts, assists and fewest errors in 2012.

"I'm excited for Dan to be leading our program," said Associate Athletics Director Chris Asa, who chaired the department's search committee. "As we were going through this process, Dan's passion for the game of softball and for CSUB really stood out. With his track record of catalyzing transformation at previous stops, his recruiting ability and his commitment to academics, I'm confident that CSUB Softball is primed for growth and success."

Sperl's coaching career began in 2006 when he started a five-year stint at NCAA Division II Western Washington University. While working as the top assistant and leading the recruiting efforts, Sperl also served double duty as the Assistant Sports Information Director for the Vikings. On the diamond, 13 of his recruits earned All-Conference honors including 2011 All-Region selection Erika Quint and four-time All-GNAC choice Michelle Wrigley.

After stepping away from coaching for a short period, Sperl joined the Athletics Department staff at CSU Bakersfield in late 2019 as a Sports Information Director. He has served the `Runner men's soccer, wrestling, swimming and diving, and wrestling teams well as their lead communications, social media, and media relations point of contact over the last three years.

Sperl also often found his way out to the Roadrunner Softball Complex, filling in as a color analyst for CSUB's ESPN+ broadcasts on occasion. His passion for the game of softball never left Sperl and when the Head Coach position opened, he immediately applied with hopes to continue serving Cal State Bakersfield in a new capacity.

An excellent recruiter, Sperl was instrumental in bringing five new `Runners to the program this summer while also helping to retain the previous year's team, volunteering his time to help keep the Softball program up and running long before he received final word that he had been selected to lead the squad.