Mandy Gardner: From Pitcher to D1 Head Coach | CAUGHT UP W/ Randy Kaye 051

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Mandy Gardner, the dynamic head coach now leading Miami (OH) softball into a bold new era, shares her journey from elite pitcher to respected D1 leader. Raised in a Southern California sports powerhouse family — her dad coached NBA players like Klay Thompson and James Harden — Mandy’s story is packed with purpose, passion, and persistence.

She opens up about her path through top-level travel ball, an early commitment to Michigan, her transfer to Maryland, and how those experiences shaped her coaching style. Mandy also reflects on the mentors who impacted her most — from Olympic athletes to coaching legends like Tony Bennett — and how her faith and family continue to guide her leadership.

Now in her first year at Miami, she talks about the challenge and reward of building a new culture from the ground up, why she values character over numbers, and what it means to truly connect with her players. Honest, energetic, and full of insight, Mandy offers a masterclass in leadership — on and off the field.

Twitter- mandygardner24

Website for our team: https://miamiredhawks.com/sports/softball

Produced by Yael Martin and Dalton Fisher, Fisher Multimedia LLC
FisherMultiMedia.com

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