Karl Gollan - Softball Assistant Coach - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Karl Gollan

Title:
Softball Assistant Coach
Phone:
536-676-3181

Karl Gollan joined Amy Hogue's staff prior to the start of the 2025-26 season and serves the program's pitching coach.

Gollan brings with him a wealth of experience, both as a player and a coach, and comes to Utah after spending the 2025 campaign at Iowa, where he served as the acting head coach for the season's final 34 games. The list of players Gollan tutored at Iowa includes pitcher Jalen Adams, who received all-conference and all-region recognition after junior season that saw her pile up 25 victories, tied for eighth in the nation, to go with a 2.18 ERA, fourth-best in the Big 10.

Prior to his time in Iowa City, Gollan helped the Ole Miss Rebels reach the NCAA Tournament in 2024 and craft a team ERA of 2.86 with 339 strikeouts. In 2023 he served as the head coach for the Augustana Vikings and guided a team picked to finish last in their conference to a third-place showing. One of Gollan's hurlers in 2023 was Nadia Ranieri, who was named conference pitcher of the year and helped the Vikings tie the program record for strikeouts in a year.

Gollan's international and pro softball playing career spanned more than 25 years. He was a member of New Zealand's National Team from 2004-17, helping the Black Sox consistently maintain their spot at the top of the WBSC/ISF world rankings. He twice aided his national team in capturing the WBSC/ISF World Championship and also earned the title of ISC World Champion with the County Materials and NY Gremlins twice. During his pro and international career, Gollan received four First Team All-World selections and a World Championship MVP award. He's also a 10-time National Champion and collected nine individual National Championship awards during his playing career. That list included four top pitcher honors, two top hitter accolades and three national MVP awards.

In his post-playing career, he immediately transitioned to a role as a coach and advisor for the Black Sox, with responsibilities including player evaluations, mentoring and scouting.

While playing professionally, Gollan coached numerous junior club teams, including Auckland United and Miramar Softball Club from 2009-13. He worked in player development, as well as game management, lineups and strategy.

Gollan also opened the K21 School of Fastpitch in 2006. As the owner and lead instructor for over 100 clients, he was responsible for creating all training programs and helping a majority of his athletes get recruited to play college softball at every level, ranging from JUCO to Power Four.

Prior to opening his own business, Gollan worked as the co-lead pitching and lead hitting instructor with DG Softball Academy from 2003-05. One of only two training facilities approved for the USA National and Olympic teams at the time, he designed and implemented hitting and pitching programs for all students. Gollan also helped lead camps and coaching seminars.