SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Head coach of the University of Notre Dame softball program Kris Ganeff added another key piece to her coaching staff Tuesday afternoon, announcing Mike Perniciaro as the team’s hitting and outfield coach. Perniciaro joins the staff after spending the past seven seasons as the head coach at Indiana State. Overall, Perniciaro has been a head coach for 14 years and brings with him 28 years of coaching experience at the Division I level.
“I’m thrilled to add Mike (Perniciaro) to our staff.” Ganeff said, “He brings a wealth of coaching experience, working as an assistant in the SEC and the Big Ten in addition to his head coaching experience. He’s proven to get the most out of his players and he embodies the principles we have in our program. He cares for the person as well as the student and the athlete. I can’t wait to see how he helps us build on our foundation.”
“Thank you to Kris (Ganeff), Jen (Vining-Smith) and Pete (Bevacqua) for this incredible opportunity to be a part of Notre Dame softball.” said Perniciaro, “I am honored to work with such a knowledgeable and experienced coaching staff. I look forward to competing for championships with the Fighting Irish.”
In Terre Haute, Perniciaro led the Indiana State Sycamore softball program to 153 victories in seven seasons, ranking second all-time in program history. His team set a program record with 32 wins during the 2023 campaign, including 17 in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). During his tenure, he coached 18 All-MVC selections, nine National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region selections and the 2021 MVC Freshman of the Year. His Sycamore offenses set program records in total bases, RBI, home runs, runs scored and slugging percentage.
Before heading to Indiana State, Perniciaro worked as an assistant coach at Indiana University during the 2015-17 seasons. In his time as the hitting coach, his Hoosier offenses ranked in the top 10 all-time in program history in runs, hits, doubles, home runs, walks, RBI and batting average. Five separate times he had individuals tie the program record for runs scored in a game and the offense scored over 15 runs four times.
As an associate head coach at Ole Miss from 2012-14, Perniciaro worked with the offense and outfielders. While in Oxford, he helped mentor 22 SEC Spring Honor Roll recipients, nine SEC First Year Honor Roll selections and a pair of NFCA All-Region and All-SEC…