Huskies Add Gano, Hayward To Coaching Staff
6/12/2023
SEATTLE – Washington softball head coach Heather Tarr has announced two additions to her staff in assistant coaches Courtney Gano and Victoria Hayward.
“I can’t wait to get this staff together to help our women be the best they can be,” Tarr said. “It is exciting to think about the future of our program with two former student athletes by my side. Both of these hires will keep Washington on top as a place that future Huskies will love to be a part of. Together we will make this the best place to play college softball. I’m excited to see what we can do together.”
Gano makes the transition to assistant coach after serving as the director of player development last season. Gano assisted with the weekly scouting report, analytics and video management. Prior to her role as director of player development, Gano served as Northwestern’s volunteer assistant coach in 2019 helping the Wildcats to a 47-13 record and a Super Regional appearance.
“The opportunity to coach at my alma mater and join such a special program at the University of Washington is truly an honor,” Gano said. “I loved playing under Coach Tarr, but I’m even more excited to coach alongside her. This community means so much to me and I can’t wait to help continue our culture of excellence.”
Gano is playing professionally with Athletes Unlimited this summer and has also played in Italy with club Forlì and the Chicago bandits in the National Pro Fastpitch league. During her time as a Husky, Gano concluded her career with a .296 average with 24 homer – including 18 during her junior season – and 102 RBI. She saw time all around the field, making starts at first base, third base, shortstop and catcher during her four years as a Husky. Gano was named a Pac-12 Second Team selection and NFCA All-Region Third Team honoree in 2015.
“Coach Court has a great amount of playing experience beyond college and coaching experience since she graduated,” Tarr added. “I’m proud of all she has done in her young career, not only on the field but off. Courtney played almost every position here while at UW. With that experience, she is the perfect fit to lead our infield defense, including the Husky catchers. Courtney served in the player development role here this past season. With that experience, she has an advantage as she steps into this coaching role this season and in the future.”
Hayward makes her way back to Montlake after a successful stint as associate head coach at San Diego State. During her two seasons with the Aztecs, the program posted back-to-back 39-win seasons, good for second most in program history in a single season. Under Hayward’s guidance, Aztec hitters posted the second and third highest batting averages all-time in a single season in school history. This past season, the Aztecs advanced to the Super Regional and was named the ATEC/NFCA west region coaching staff of the year. Hayward is also a member of the Canadian National Team that won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and plays professionally with Athletes Unlimited.
“I’m so grateful to Coach Tarr and the University of Washington for the opportunity to return to the place and program that made me who I am today” Hayward said. “I’m honored to work alongside an incredible staff and build upon the unparalleled success of Husky Softball. I’m a Dawg for life and can’t wait to pour into a new generation of Husky Softball.”
Hayward has over 10 years of experience in the college ranks, serving as a director of operations at UCF (2019), assistant coach at Maryland (2019) and UMass (2016-17) and a graduate assistant at LSU (2015). During her time as a Husky, Hayward was a 2014 NFCA All-American and four-time All-Pac-12 selection.
“Coach Vic has proven herself over the past nine years since graduating from Washington that she not only is one of the best players to extend her playing career beyond UW,” Tarr added. “She has also proven herself to be one of the most effective coaches and leaders in the softball world. Her experience playing at UW, playing professionally, and playing for an Olympic Bronze medal make her the perfect person to step into this role and help lead this team and our offense toward what’s next this year and beyond.”
Tune in to ESPNU today to watch Hayward and Gano compete in AUX with Team Mulipola against former Husky Sis Bates and Team Garcia at 3 p.m. PT. To view the entire AUX schedule, click here.
For more information on the UW softball team, follow @UWSoftball on Twitter and Instagram.
Hayward and Gano’s appointments are pending approval of the university’s standard background check.