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Veteran coach and former University of Iowa standout Debbie Bilbao joins the University of Utah softball coaching staff and is in her first season as its assistant coach.
Bilbao, a Sandy, Utah, native, will work with the pitchers.
"We're thrilled to have her join our staff and help us lead our program," said head coach Angie Jacobs. "Debbie brings a wealth of experience to our program, not only as a pitching coach but in all facets of the game. Being a Utah native, she is going to have a command of the talent in state and that will be a big benefit to our program in the future."
Bilbao joins the Utes after spending last season at Salt Lake Community College. As a pitching coach, she helped the Bruins record a 28-24 mark in leading the team to the regional semifinals. She coached Kim Todd to first team all-region honors. Tood won 14 games and chalked up 106 strikeouts.
Prior to SLCC, Bilbao served as an assistant coach for one year at her alma mater, Iowa. The Hawkeyes finished the 2005 season with a 52-9 record and made an NCAA tournament appearance.
Bilbao was the head coach at Utah State from 2002-04. Under her direction, six Aggies earned all-conference recognition while another eight were academic all-conference.
Before heading the USU program, Bilbao was the lead assistant at Sacramento State during the 2000 and 2001 seasons.
She is one of the most decorated players in the Iowa softball history. Bilbao, a three-time All-Ameircan, played from 1995-98, leading the Hawkeyes to three straight College World Series appearances from 1995-97. She ended her collegiate career holding records for RBI in a season (61), games pitched in a career (181) and career wins (99).
She served as a student assistant coach at Iowa from 1998-99. Bilbao graduated in 1999 with a degree in math and a minor in coaching. She is currently working towards her master's degree in coaching.
Bilbao graduated from Jordan High where she won four state titles (one basketball, one soccer and two softball).
