Rachel West Returns to Iowa To Be Assistant Coach
Rachel West is back wearing the black and gold as the former Hawkeye player, hired by Head Coach Marla Looper to be the assistant coach.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be back in Black and Gold and in a program so near and dear to my heart,” said West in Iowa press release. “I am more than grateful for the opportunity, and I am eager and ready to get to work with the Hawkeyes. I hope everyone comes out this season to Fight For Iowa.”
West played for Hawkeyes legendary Head Coach Gayle Blevins from 2005-09 finishing fourth in stolen bases (86), 18th in runs (95), and eighth in batting average (.341) in program history. West was an outfielder for the Hawkeyes, starting her career as a right-handed hitter and finishing as a slap hitter. West will work with the slappers and the outfield as part of her responsibilities.
She (West) has a lot of pride in being an Iowan and a Hawkeye,” said Looper in a press release. “Her excitement in returning to Iowa will add to the pride we have in this great university and great state.”
West has spent the past eight years coaching in the Iowa City area. Seven of those seasons, West coached high school softball including spending one year as the head softball coach at Clear Creek Amana and two years as the assistant varsity coach at Solon. West most recently returned to her alma mater as a volunteer coach for the 2015-16 season. In her time at Iowa, she worked primarily with the outfielders and slappers.
“She played under Gayle Blevins and then worked in our program as a volunteer, and the knowledge she brings from those experiences will be a great benefit to our student-athletes,” said Looper in a press release.
West will make her debut as an assistant coach on September 15th when the Hawkeyes begin fall ball against Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC).
