SAN JOSE, Calif. – After a nationwide search, San José State University has named Tammy Lohmann the sixth head coach of the San José State softball program. Marie Tuite, San José State Director of Athletics, made the announcement on Thursday.
"Please join me in welcoming Tammy Lohmann to the Spartan family as our new softball head coach," said Tuite. "Her commitment to ensuring academic success, along with her extensive postseason experience at the highest level of college softball embodies important traits for our next head coach. The ultimate goal for our program is to reach the Women's College World Series, and Coach Lohmann's recruiting connections in the State of California and beyond will enable us to build a program of that caliber. In addition, her "student-athlete centered" philosophy aligns with the core values of our athletics program. We're thrilled to have her join our Spartan family."
Lohmann brings over 16 years of coaching experience at the Division I level with her to the South Bay. She spent the last 15 seasons serving as the associate head coach at Cal, where she helped lead the Golden Bears to the NCAA postseason in 12 out of 14 seasons.
"I want to thank Athletic Director Marie Tuite and Senior Associate Athletics Director Mike Waller for the amazing opportunity to take over a great program with a winning tradition," Lohmann said. "I am looking forward to meeting the team and sharing our vision for success and championships here at San José State."
In her 14 full seasons as the associate head coach, Lohmann had a major role in the Golden Bears' tremendous success on the diamond. Under her tutelage, Cal had 12 All-America and 84 All-Pac 12 selections, and the team made six NCAA Super Regionals and two Women's College World Series.
In March of 2020, after longtime head coach Diane Ninemire stepped down due to medical reasons, Lohmann was named the program's interim head coach. She coached the team's final five games of the season, winning the first three, before the season was ended early due to COVID-19.
First joining the Cal staff in 2006, Lohmann helped the Golden Bears achieve immediate success as the program advanced to the NCAA Super Regional in four of her first five seasons on staff. In 2011 and 2012, she helped guide Cal to back-to-back appearances at the NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
In 2011, Lohmann and the rest of the coaching staff was awarded the National Fastpitch Coaches' Association (NFCA) Pacific Region Coaching Staff of the Year. The Golden Bears began the year ranked 12th in the national polls and finished No. 5 overall. The team finished with a conference record of 15-6 to finish second in the Pac-12, their best finish in six years.
Lohmann helped lead Cal to one of their finest seasons in program history in 2012 as the Golden Bears racked up a school-record 58 wins and finished No. 3 in the nation. The Bears won the inaugural Pac-12 Championship with a conference record of 21-3 and was ranked No. 1 in at least one national poll for 13 weeks throughout the season.
In Lohmann's 14 full seasons on staff at Cal, the Golden Bears advanced to the NCAA postseason 12 times
Prior to her time with the Golden Bears, Lohmann made her Division I coaching start as an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin from 2003-2005. In her short time on staff, she helped guide numerous players to all-conference selections and in 2005, she helped guide the Badgers to a NCAA Regional appearance for just the third time in program history.
Lohmann's coaching career began at Bradley University as an assistant coach in 1999. She stayed on staff through 2002 before moving on to Wisconsin.
A two-time all-conference selection, Lohmann made a name for herself as a player at Arizona State from 1993-97. In 1993, she was named ASU's Freshman of the Year and as a senior, she served as the team's captain. She holds three spots on the program's career record list in hits, doubles and stolen bases.
After her college playing days were behind her, she moved on to play professionally beginning in 1998 with the Arizona Peppers of the Ladies Professional Baseball League. That same year, she helped the Arizona Angels to a runner-up finish at the USA Women's Baseball National Tournament. Lohmann finished her playing career in 1999 as a member of the North Carolina Diamonds of the Women's Professional Softball League.
Lohmann was a sensational player at the high school level as well at Katella High {Anaheim, Calif.) from 1989-1992, and in May of 2020, she was selected to the Orange County Softball Hall of Fame.
Lohmann graduated with a master's degree in human service administration from Bradley in 2002. She is a one-star Master Coach with the National Fastpitch Coaches College, and was selected as one of 25 coaches to attend the NCAA Women's Coaches Academic Dimension I in Denver and Dimension II in Indianapolis.
What they are saying about Tammy Lohmann:
Diane Ninemire, former Cal Softball Head Coach
"I'm really pleased to hear that San José State is going to make Tammy Lohmann their next head softball coach. She is so knowledgeable and has been in the game for over 20 years. I had the privilege of coaching with her at the University of California for 15 years. I know that she will absolutely be the right choice in the classroom and on the field for San José State. She is a winner and will do a terrific job. I'm just so excited to see her in her next phase."
Mike White, University of Texas Softball Head Coach
"Tammy has a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience. She's coached some tremendous teams at Cal. San José State has been a successful program and has the potential to reach even higher heights and Tammy's experience will help the Spartans get there."
Patty Gasso, University of Oklahoma Softball Head Coach
"I've had the pleasure of knowing Tammy Lohmann these last 15 years. During that time it became clear that Tammy sacrifices and fights for her players, has great love and knowledge of the game and leads with integrity and character. Tammy is a wonderful hire for San José State University and I expect to see the Spartans fighting for championships under her leadership."
Kelly Inouye-Perez, UCLA Softball Head Coach
"Having worked with Tammy in the Pac-12, I know her standard is excellence on the field and in the classroom. I am excited to see her continue her success as the new head coach at San José State."
Boo De Oliveira, Purdue University Softball Head Coach and former Wisconsin Softball player
"Coach Tammy is one of the best in the business. She truly cares about her student-athletes as humans first and ballplayers second. She knows how to recruit and develop top talent. Coach Tammy is a proven winner. I am honored to call her my coach, my mentor, my friend, and my family. With her in charge, San José State has a bright future."
Teresa Gould, Pac-12 Conference Senior Associate Commissioner, Sports Management and Institutional Services, and former Cal Deputy Athletic Director
"Tammy Lohmann's experience as a Division I student-athlete, coach and leader will position San José State Softball favorably to build upon the tradition of excellence that already exists in this winning program. The student-athletes will benefit greatly from Tammy's passion and dedication to the holistic development of young women both on and off the field. She will bring a clear vision and energy to the program that aligns with the values embodied by San José State University and will be a tremendous addition to Spartan Athletics, and the entire campus community."
Kylie Reed, former Cal Softball player
"To be completely honest, Tammy is the only reason why I stayed at Cal. I was going through some family things and stuff like that, and Tammy was my go-to. She and I had a similar mindset when it came to playing the game, so that was really helpful. Being able to vent to her, she was definitely like my backbone throughout the three years that I was there, but she was also one to dig into me when I needed her to, which was awesome. Tammy was able to give me everything that I needed as far as pushing me and setting the bar pretty high. She was always that person that pushed the team, took on that leadership role and was always there for us when we needed something."
