A new softball coach is expected to be named within a couple weeks, and Long Beach State assistant coach, Kim Sowder, is a strong candidate for the position, according to Athletic Director Vic Cegles.
Cegles said he is planning to interview several candidates next week and will have his list narrowed to three or four people by the end of next week.
“We have an outstanding assistant coach here, Kim Sowder,” Cegles said. “She is terrific and is a very viable candidate.”
Sowder was a shortstop for the 49ers from 1989 to 1992, helping LBSU to reach the College World Series in 1990, 1991 and 1992. She began her coaching career at University of Pacific, before assisting former LBSU head coach Pete Manarino for the past 11 seasons.
“I would be very grateful to have the opportunity to be head coach of Long beach State,” Sowder said, in a June 29 Daily Forty-Niner article.
Cegles is looking at other candidates for the position, but he did not release their names.
“I haven’t been here, so I felt I need to see what the pool would look like and then to interview everyone and to select the one who would be the best fit for us and who would take us to where we want to be,” Cegles said.