Morgan Gerak cites family reasons for departure
Just two days removed from their elimination from the NCAA Softball Knoxville Regional, the Northern Kentucky Norse softball program will be in the search for a new head coach.
Morgan Gerak notified the university that she is stepping down due to family reasons.
Gerak joined Northern Kentucky ahead of the 2023 season, and took over as head coach before the 2025 campaign after coach Kathryn Gleason left for Northern Illinois University in July of 2024.
“It has been my privilege to be the head coach at Northern Kentucky University the last two years,” Gerak said via NKU news release. “NKU is a special place to coach, and I’m incredibly grateful to Coach Gleason for giving me my first full-time position on her staff. I will be stepping away from college softball to serve my family in this next stage of life.
“To the student-athletes I’ve had the opportunity to coach over the last few years — thank you. You are what makes this job worth it. Go Norse!”
Gerak’s 2026 team was led by a senior class that righted the ship and turned around the season. At one point, the Norse were unsure if they would even make the Horizon League tournament, but they did.
The Norse went on to win the Horizon League championship and advanced to the NCAA Softball Knoxville Regional, where they fell to Tennessee and Indiana, concluding the season at 26-25.
A national search for Gerak’s replacement will begin immediately.
