Virginia Softball Signs Joanna Hardin to Three-Year Contract Extension

Hardin, who has been the head coach of the UVA softball program for seven seasons, is now under contract through the 2026 season

Matt Riley/Virginia Athletics

Virginia softball head coach Joanna Hardin has signed a three-year contract extension, which will keep her under contract through the 2026 season, as announced by UVA athletics director Carla Williams on Tuesday morning. 

“We are very excited about coach Hardin and the trajectory of Virginia softball,” Carla Williams said. “The last two seasons have given us a glimpse of what is to come. Outstanding team and individual performances as well as increased fan attendance and back-to-back top 25 recruiting classes are examples of why we are so excited about coach Hardin and the future of this program.”

The UVA softball program has built some significant momentum both in terms of recruiting and success on the field since the completion of Palmer Park in 2020. In the seventh season under Hardin, who took over as head coach in 2017, Virginia turned in a 30-22 overall record, marking the first time since 2010 that the program reached the 30-win threshold in a season. In 2022, the Cavaliers went 28-26, which was also their most wins in a season since 2010. UVA's 13-11 ACC record in 2022 was the program's best conference record since 2010 as well. 

Virginia has reached the ACC Tournament four times in Hardin's tenure, including in each of the last two seasons. The Cavaliers also earned a bid to the National Invitational Softball Championship in 2022 as the No. 1 overall seed. Hardin has coached five All-ACC selections, three ACC All-Freshman selections, and in 2019, Lacy Smith became UVA's first All-American since 2004 and just the fifth Cavalier All-American in program history, garnering First-Team All-American honors by Softball America. 

“I’d like to thank President Ryan and Carla Williams for believing in the future of Virginia softball,” said Joanna Hardin. “The investment in our student-athletes and Palmer Park provides an amazing opportunity for wholistic development. Our vision has always been to develop young women through championship softball. Our fanbase continues to expand and support our program as we extend our unbroken growth. It is truly an honor to represent the Commonwealth and University of Virginia every day.”

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