Kendall Fearn Hired As The New Head Coach For Long Beach State Softball
6/16/2025 4:40:00 PM | Softball
Fearn becomes the fifth head coach in the program’s 45-year history.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Athletics has announced Kendall Fearn will be the new head coach for Long Beach State Softball, replacing Kim Sowder who announced her retirement following her 19th season in charge of the program in 2025.
Kendall Fearn has played a large part in the rise of San Diego State Softball nationally as the lead assistant for the Aztecs, joining the team prior to the 2023 season. Leading the team's recruiting efforts and serving as the defensive coordinator, Fearn and San Diego State have made three straight NCAA tournament appearances during her tenure, including a memorable run to the Super Regionals in 2023 when the Aztecs advanced out of the Los Angeles Regional hosted by UCLA and coming one game short of the program's first trip to the Women's College World Series.
The Aztecs have won three straight Mountain West Tournament Championships and the 2024 regular season title, posting a 108-56 record during Fearn's time with the program.
"I am ecstatic to share that Kendall Fearn has accepted the position of Head Coach of Long Beach State Softball," said Executive Director of Athletics, Bobby Smitheran. "She brings with her a strong foundation shaped by mentorship under some of the most respected figures in the sport. Her experience, passion, and relentless drive will no doubt elevate a program already steeped in proud tradition and history, one built on the foundation laid by coaching icons Pete Manarino and Kim Sowder.
"Fearn has proven herself as a program builder, a championship winner, and a leader who has successfully guided teams through NCAA Regional and Super Regional competition. She understands what it takes to compete and win at the highest levels of collegiate softball. Known nationally as a tireless recruiter, she brings a compelling and visionary plan for the future of Beach Softball, emphasizing sustained success and a culture where student-athletes can thrive. Beyond wins and losses, Fearn is a developer of people, someone who deeply values academic achievement and the holistic development of her student-athletes."
Fearn brings extensive coaching experience from across the country, which has shaped her path to Long Beach State. Prior to her time in San Diego, she spent five seasons as the Associate Head Coach at Indiana under Shonda Stanton, working primarily with the offense and defense. Indiana posted a 126-101 record during Fearn's tenure, and the program set school records in both home runs and stolen bases under her offensive leadership.
Preceding her time in Indiana, Fearn worked for four seasons at Marshall, also with Stanton, as the program's Associate Head Coach. Fearn was the team's hitting coach while working with the outfielders. During her time at Marshall, the team hit .313 and the Thundering Herd won 135 games in her four seasons in Huntington, which included a Conference USA title and the second-ever NCAA postseason appearance for the program.
Fearn was a four-year starter at UNLV as a corner infielder and was coached in part by Long Beach State legend Pete Manarino. After her playing career, she immediately transitioned into coaching, spending two seasons on the UNLV staff before taking a position at Georgia Southern and eventually moving on to Marshall.
"I am honored to be named the next head coach of Long Beach State Softball and am grateful for this incredible opportunity!" said Fearn. "I would like to thank President Jane Close Conoley and Vice President Scott Apel for their support and extend a huge thank you to Bobby Smitheran, Katie Burd, and everyone who participated in the search process for believing in me and my vision as a head coach. Through this process it was exciting to see how our values align in all the right ways prioritizing character, hard work, and community. I am committed to our softball student-athletes growing and winning in every area of their lives to include their student-athlete experience, on-field performance, academic success, and building connections within the Long Beach community that we are so proud to represent.
"As the leader of this program, it will be my charge to celebrate and continue telling the amazing traditions of Long Beach State Softball to our recruits, current team, and community. Under the leadership of two amazing coaches in Kim Sowder and Pete Manarino, Long Beach State has a legacy of going to the Women's College World Series, winning conference championships, making NCAA tournament appearances, and creating a dynamic group of softball alumni that have left their mark on this special program.
"My vision is to establish a purposeful culture that is grounded in talent, grit, and unity. My coaching staff and I will drive our holistic player development approach paired with relentless recruiting efforts to lead us to compete for Big West titles while also graduating champions and remarkable people who are prepared for success beyond the game."
Fearn becomes just the fifth head coach in program history, and only the third in the last 42 years, with Manarino (23 seasons) and Sowder (19 seasons) having led the program for the majority of its existence.
"I would like to extend my thanks to Katie Burd, our Softball sport supervisor and Senior Associate AD for Financial Operations for leading this national search," added Smitheran. "This is a highly prized job and drew interest from a competitive pool of candidates nationwide. Katie's diligence and commitment to finding the best fit for our program were instrumental in this exciting new chapter for Long Beach State Softball."
What they're saying about Fearn:
"Long Beach State Softball has a proud and rich tradition and to see a former player of mine in Kendall Fearn assume the head coaching role is exciting. During my two seasons with her at UNLV and as a graduate assistant coach, she demonstrated great passion, leadership, and hard work. These traits will serve her well as head coach and I wish her the best of luck!"
~Pete Manarino, Former Head Coach, Long Beach State & UNLV
"Long Beach State Softball has made a remarkable hire in Kendall Fearn. As a dynamic and relational leader, she will foster a connected program with high-functioning synergy. Kendall's aggressive and fundamental style of play will produce an exciting brand of softball. Her passion for the game is matched only by her unwavering commitment to equipping and empowering her student-athletes to continuously grow and excel. As an elite recruiter and talent developer, Kendall's competitive character, heart-driven mindset, and person-first approach are instrumental in building a championship culture. She has consistently elevated every program she has been associated with, and her vision, coupled with a process-based approach, will propel Long Beach State Softball into a new era of success."
~Shonda Stanton, Head Coach, Indiana
"Kendall Fearn is a home run hire for Long Beach State. She is a first-class human, mentor, leader, recruiter and developer of talent. She will no doubt elevate the Beach softball program and do it with class and integrity. Truly one of the good ones, I am excited to see her put her mark on the LBSU program and compete for Big West championships."
~Stacey Nuveman-Deniz, Head Coach, San Diego State
"What a great day for Long Beach State softball! Kendall is an excellent coach that is invested deeply in the development of young women. Beach fans can expect a team that will compete hard, play fundamentally sound softball, and be excellent members of the community. I look forward to watching Kendall's head coaching career begin."
~Jessica Allister, Head Coach, Stanford
Kendall Fearn has played a large part in the rise of San Diego State Softball nationally as the lead assistant for the Aztecs, joining the team prior to the 2023 season. Leading the team's recruiting efforts and serving as the defensive coordinator, Fearn and San Diego State have made three straight NCAA tournament appearances during her tenure, including a memorable run to the Super Regionals in 2023 when the Aztecs advanced out of the Los Angeles Regional hosted by UCLA and coming one game short of the program's first trip to the Women's College World Series.
The Aztecs have won three straight Mountain West Tournament Championships and the 2024 regular season title, posting a 108-56 record during Fearn's time with the program.
"I am ecstatic to share that Kendall Fearn has accepted the position of Head Coach of Long Beach State Softball," said Executive Director of Athletics, Bobby Smitheran. "She brings with her a strong foundation shaped by mentorship under some of the most respected figures in the sport. Her experience, passion, and relentless drive will no doubt elevate a program already steeped in proud tradition and history, one built on the foundation laid by coaching icons Pete Manarino and Kim Sowder.
"Fearn has proven herself as a program builder, a championship winner, and a leader who has successfully guided teams through NCAA Regional and Super Regional competition. She understands what it takes to compete and win at the highest levels of collegiate softball. Known nationally as a tireless recruiter, she brings a compelling and visionary plan for the future of Beach Softball, emphasizing sustained success and a culture where student-athletes can thrive. Beyond wins and losses, Fearn is a developer of people, someone who deeply values academic achievement and the holistic development of her student-athletes."
Fearn brings extensive coaching experience from across the country, which has shaped her path to Long Beach State. Prior to her time in San Diego, she spent five seasons as the Associate Head Coach at Indiana under Shonda Stanton, working primarily with the offense and defense. Indiana posted a 126-101 record during Fearn's tenure, and the program set school records in both home runs and stolen bases under her offensive leadership.
Preceding her time in Indiana, Fearn worked for four seasons at Marshall, also with Stanton, as the program's Associate Head Coach. Fearn was the team's hitting coach while working with the outfielders. During her time at Marshall, the team hit .313 and the Thundering Herd won 135 games in her four seasons in Huntington, which included a Conference USA title and the second-ever NCAA postseason appearance for the program.
Fearn was a four-year starter at UNLV as a corner infielder and was coached in part by Long Beach State legend Pete Manarino. After her playing career, she immediately transitioned into coaching, spending two seasons on the UNLV staff before taking a position at Georgia Southern and eventually moving on to Marshall.
"I am honored to be named the next head coach of Long Beach State Softball and am grateful for this incredible opportunity!" said Fearn. "I would like to thank President Jane Close Conoley and Vice President Scott Apel for their support and extend a huge thank you to Bobby Smitheran, Katie Burd, and everyone who participated in the search process for believing in me and my vision as a head coach. Through this process it was exciting to see how our values align in all the right ways prioritizing character, hard work, and community. I am committed to our softball student-athletes growing and winning in every area of their lives to include their student-athlete experience, on-field performance, academic success, and building connections within the Long Beach community that we are so proud to represent.
"As the leader of this program, it will be my charge to celebrate and continue telling the amazing traditions of Long Beach State Softball to our recruits, current team, and community. Under the leadership of two amazing coaches in Kim Sowder and Pete Manarino, Long Beach State has a legacy of going to the Women's College World Series, winning conference championships, making NCAA tournament appearances, and creating a dynamic group of softball alumni that have left their mark on this special program.
"My vision is to establish a purposeful culture that is grounded in talent, grit, and unity. My coaching staff and I will drive our holistic player development approach paired with relentless recruiting efforts to lead us to compete for Big West titles while also graduating champions and remarkable people who are prepared for success beyond the game."
Fearn becomes just the fifth head coach in program history, and only the third in the last 42 years, with Manarino (23 seasons) and Sowder (19 seasons) having led the program for the majority of its existence.
"I would like to extend my thanks to Katie Burd, our Softball sport supervisor and Senior Associate AD for Financial Operations for leading this national search," added Smitheran. "This is a highly prized job and drew interest from a competitive pool of candidates nationwide. Katie's diligence and commitment to finding the best fit for our program were instrumental in this exciting new chapter for Long Beach State Softball."
What they're saying about Fearn:
"Long Beach State Softball has a proud and rich tradition and to see a former player of mine in Kendall Fearn assume the head coaching role is exciting. During my two seasons with her at UNLV and as a graduate assistant coach, she demonstrated great passion, leadership, and hard work. These traits will serve her well as head coach and I wish her the best of luck!"
~Pete Manarino, Former Head Coach, Long Beach State & UNLV
"Long Beach State Softball has made a remarkable hire in Kendall Fearn. As a dynamic and relational leader, she will foster a connected program with high-functioning synergy. Kendall's aggressive and fundamental style of play will produce an exciting brand of softball. Her passion for the game is matched only by her unwavering commitment to equipping and empowering her student-athletes to continuously grow and excel. As an elite recruiter and talent developer, Kendall's competitive character, heart-driven mindset, and person-first approach are instrumental in building a championship culture. She has consistently elevated every program she has been associated with, and her vision, coupled with a process-based approach, will propel Long Beach State Softball into a new era of success."
~Shonda Stanton, Head Coach, Indiana
"Kendall Fearn is a home run hire for Long Beach State. She is a first-class human, mentor, leader, recruiter and developer of talent. She will no doubt elevate the Beach softball program and do it with class and integrity. Truly one of the good ones, I am excited to see her put her mark on the LBSU program and compete for Big West championships."
~Stacey Nuveman-Deniz, Head Coach, San Diego State
"What a great day for Long Beach State softball! Kendall is an excellent coach that is invested deeply in the development of young women. Beach fans can expect a team that will compete hard, play fundamentally sound softball, and be excellent members of the community. I look forward to watching Kendall's head coaching career begin."
~Jessica Allister, Head Coach, Stanford
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