Pocatello, ID — Idaho State University is proud to announce that Head Softball Coach Andrew Rich has signed a new three-year contract extension, securing his leadership of the Bengals through the 2028 season. This move reflects ISU's confidence in Coach Rich's vision and the unprecedented success the program has enjoyed under his direction, as well as his outstanding commitment to the Bengal Softball Program.
Coach Rich, who took the helm of ISU Softball in 2022, has quickly made a lasting impact on the program. Under his leadership, the Bengals have demonstrated steady growth, both in competitive performance and in fostering a strong team culture rooted in academic success, discipline, community engagement, and athletic excellence.
Since taking leadership of the program in 2022, Rich has amassed a 107-99 winning record, 2nd most in program history and chasing the record. In his four seasons at ISU, Rich has coached the Bengals to two regular-season titles, 35 All-Conference awards, three NFCA All-Region awards and has been named Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year twice.
In 2025, Rich led the Idaho State program to one of the best seasons in program history, the Bengals finished 37-17, the most wins in a single season. 2025 was a season of firsts and new records for the program. In February, the Bengals defeated 2025 national runner-up No. 13 Texas Tech 3-2 in College Station, Texas. The win made history as the first top-15 win for Idaho State in program history. In the final conference series of the season, the Bengals travelled to Portland to take on Portland State. In the last regular-season game of the year, over five innings, freshman pitcher Megan Meracle threw the first perfect game in Idaho State history, striking out six, the Bengal offense scoring 11 runs to close out the five-inning game. Throughout the year, junior outfielder Ava Brown was a problem for opposing pitchers while she was at bat. In ISU's first game of the season, Brown hit her first home run of the season, setting the stage for her record breaking year. Over the next two months, Brown would hit homerun after homerun chasing the Idaho State record, finally against Boise State on April 23, Brown hit her 21st blast of the season, breaking the Idaho State and Big Sky Conference single season homerun records. Brown would finish the season ranked 5th in the nation in homeruns and third in the nation in homeruns per game. She sent a total of 25 over the fence.
Under Rich's leadership, the Bengals were ranked in the mid-major top-25 poll for the first time in history and stayed ranked throughout the season, in the final rankings of the 2025 season, the Bengals held strong at No. 23 in the nation.
"I am proud and absolutely pleased to have Coach Rich continue guiding our softball program," said Pauline Thiros, Director of Athletics at Idaho State University. "He has built a foundation that aligns with our vision for success—both on and off the field. His dedication to our student-athletes and his commitment to the Bengal community make him a tremendous asset to our university."
In his tenure, Coach Rich has led the Bengals to multiple Big Sky Conference tournament appearances and has been instrumental in recruiting top-tier talent that reflects Idaho State's values and competitive spirit.
"I am so excited to continue building upon everything we have accomplished so far in my time here at Idaho State," Coach Rich said. "To be able to continue working with President Wagner, Pauline and everyone within our athletic department is awesome. We have done some great things over the last four years and there is still a lot for us to accomplish and I know we have a team put together for the 2026 season that is ready to attack all of our goals head on. We will continue to be a program that connects with the community and represents this university in the best of ways."
The new contract extension solidifies Idaho State University's commitment to long-term program development and its investment in sustained athletic success.
