VERMILLION, S.D.—University of South Dakota Athletic Director David Herbster is pleased to announce the hiring of Robert Wagner as head softball coach. Wagner has more than 20 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level including eight years at Arizona State where he produced two national championships. Wagner was associate head coach at ASU from 2006-11, the program’s top assistant in 2015 and its co-interim head coach throughout this past season.
“I would like to thank the University of South Dakota, David Herbster, and the search committee for this incredible opportunity,” said Wagner. “I am honored to be part of the University and lead the softball program. I am impressed with every aspect of USD including the campus, the facilities, the support from the community, and especially the athletic department leadership.
“It is clear that USD athletics is committed to excellence, and offers the ability to achieve success and attain goals. I am excited to meet the team and begin the process of building a championship culture together.”
In addition to Arizona State, Wagner has been an assistant softball coach at his alma mater, University of Washington (2005), at University of Utah (2001-02), and at Central Arizona College (1999-2000). His first head coaching gig at the collegiate level was at Odessa College from 2003-04. His second was at Scottsdale Community College from 2012-14, in between his two stints with Arizona State.
Arizona State qualified for the NCAA Tournament in all eight seasons with Wagner on staff. The Sun Devils advanced to the Women’s College World Series five times and won national championships in 2008 and 2011. ASU was 392-127 under Wagner (.755) including a 45-13 record in the NCAA Tournament.
“Coach Wagner’s vast experience in building teams that compete consistently at the highest level certainly stood out to us,” said Herbster. “His accomplishments speak for themselves. I’m impressed with his ability to teach fundamentals and bring players together to form a cohesive unit.”
Wagner was 62-48 in two seasons at Odessa, which included a 42-24 mark in year two that served as the program’s first winning season. The Wranglers led the conference in stolen bases both seasons and competed in the postseason for the first time in 2004.
In 2014, Wagner led the Scottsdale Artichokes to their first region championship and first appearance at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II National Tournament in Mississippi. Scottsdale finished with a 45-24 record and a final ranking of nine. The Artichokes won 90 games in three seasons with Wagner.
Wagner is a 1995 graduate of Washington where he earned his bachelor’s degree in English. He received his master’s degree in education administration from University of Phoenix in 2000. He also served in the United States Marine Corps for four years. He, his wife, Caylyn, and children DJ, Brody, Dylyn and Linkin are set to join the community.
Wagner replaces Amy Klyse, who resigned at USD last month following 10 seasons with the program.
