The Journey: Gerry Glasco’s Unlikely Rise from Softball Dad to WCWS Coach

He wasn’t a professional coach or a former college star – just a softball dad who loved the game and his girls. Now, he’s at the helm of a historic journey, guiding Texas Tech to the College World Series, toppling the softball giants one by one.

Gerry Glasco’s coaching journey began for one simple reason: his daughters needed him. In the early 2000s, Glasco's three daughters – Tara, Erin and Geri Ann – were all crazy about softball. So he stepped up. He volunteered to coach their youth team – and kept on coaching. Eventually at the local high school, learning the ropes as an assistant coach. Then Glasco realized there was a greater need. Small-town girls with big talent deserved a shot on the national stage.

In 2001, Glasco founded the Southern Force, an 18-and-under travel team, molding them into a competitive squad. In 2004, they shocked everyone by winning a national championship. Glasco wasn’t chasing personal glory – he was a dad on a mission to give these kids a chance. In the process, he discovered his own calling.

Lessons

• Seize the Moment: Step Up When It Counts
  The most meaningful opportunities often come when you least expect them — but only if you’re willing to step in and make a difference.
• Opportunities Can Come from the Unexpected
  The best paths often start in the most unlikely places — embrace them.

A Late Start in the Big Leagues of College

Despite all his success in youth softball, Glasco never imagined coaching college softball. In 2008, after nearly a decade of building the Southern Force, Glasco's reputation had quietly grown. The next year, at age 51, he got a phone call that changed everything. The University of Georgia – an SEC powerhouse – wanted him to join their coaching staff. Glasco took a leap of faith. He often joked later that he was “the oldest rookie coach in the SEC.”

He didn’t start coaching college ball until most people his age were thinking about retirement, but he made those years count. His unlikely rise was living proof to every parent and coach that the path to success isn’t always linear or early – sometimes the long road brings the sweetest reward.

Lessons for Coaches 

• Get Involved: You don’t have to be a pro or have a ton of experience to make a difference. Sometimes, just showing up is the most important thing.
• Be Patient: Success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the long, messy, sometimes frustrating road that makes it worth it.
• Passion Over Pedigree: You don’t need the perfect resume to make an impact. Care about your players, and they’ll care about you.
• Never Stop Growing: It’s never too late to step up. Keep learning, keep evolving, and keep believing in what you do.

All in the Family

Through all the moves and milestones, one thing remained constant in Glasco’s life: family. To him, softball was always a family affair. After all, he got into this world for his daughters, and they were never far from his mind or his heart as his career took off. In fact, at times they were right there by his side on the field.

Each of the Glasco girls left her own mark on the sport. Tara, his oldest, played in college and followed in Gerry’s footsteps and became a coach herself. Erin, the middle daughter with the cannon arm behind the plate, not only played at Texas A&M but also in 2008 reached the Women’s College World Series as a player; and Geri Ann, the youngest, was a sensation from the start: a nationally-recognized high school pitcher and hitter who played for Georgia right after her dad’s stint there and later for Oregon. 

Glasco beamed with pride at each of his daughters’ accomplishments. He often said his favorite coaching memories weren’t his wins, but the moments he got to be “Dad” in the middle of it all.

Lessons for Parents

• Be Present Without Overpowering: Glasco’s most cherished moments were the times he could simply be there for his daughters, not as a coach, but as their dad. As a parent, sometimes your most valuable role is stepping back, offering support when needed, and letting your child lead their own way.

Heartbreak and a Lasting Legacy

In late 2017, at 59 years old, Glasco was hired to lead the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. It was an exciting new challenge, and what made it even sweeter was the chance to coach alongside his youngest daughter. Geri Ann, fresh out of college and still passionate about the game, had accepted a position as a volunteer assistant on her dad’s new coaching staff. Father and daughter were set to be on the same bench, both chasing that World Series goal together.

They never got that chance. Geri Ann was killed in a car accident not far from the Louisiana campus. She was only 24. In an instant, the Glasco family’s world was shattered. In the wake of unimaginable loss, Gerry somehow found the grace to carry on – guided by the legacy of love and resilience Geri Ann left behind. Geri Ann’s legacy began to blossom in ways Gerry could never have anticipated. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association created a scholarship in her name to support aspiring female coaches – helping young women follow the path she never got to finish. In Eugene, Oregon (where she’d played), the Ducks built a memorial bench with her name, a place of reflection for players and fans. 

Nearly a quarter century after he first coached his daughters, Gerry Glasco stepped onto the diamond at Oklahoma City’s Devon Park in June 2025. But this time so much was different. This time, he was the head coach guiding the Texas Tech Red Raiders in their first-ever Women’s College World Series appearance – a historic moment for the program. And right there next to him in the dugout, wearing Texas Tech’s scarlet and black, was associate head coach Tara Archibald – his daughter, coaching by his side.

Coach Glasco had taken a team long considered an underdog and turned them into giant-killers. The Red Raiders stunned the softball world with wins over Ole Miss, UCLA and taking down the ultimate giant killer, Oklahoma.

He set out simply to be a good dad and a good coach for a handful of girls who loved softball. In doing so, he found his life’s passion and impacted countless young athletes. His unlikely rise to the top of college softball proves that success is never out of reach and that trusting your heart will always lead you to where you're meant to be.

Zoom Out: Why This Matters in the Big Picture

Glasco’s story is more than just about coaching — it’s about life itself. It’s about showing up, putting in the work and doing it all for the people who matter most. Whether you're a parent, coach, or player, his journey reminds us that success isn’t a straight path. It’s filled with challenges, setbacks, and unexpected turns — but it’s always worth it when you’re driven by love and a commitment to something bigger than yourself. When those are your guide, there’s no telling where you can go.