By MATT PIKE
Missouri Western State University has named the new head coach to lead the softball program, hiring Bianca Duran as the eighth head coach in MoWest program history.
Duran spent each of the last five seasons as the head softball coach at NCAA Division II Colorado State University-Pueblo, leading the ThunderWolves to a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament championship and NCAA South Central Regional bid this past season. The ThunderWolves were 40-18 in 2026, their winningest season since 2001, also winning the RMAC tournament title for the first time since 2001 as well. The NCAA tournament berth was just the third in program history and the first since 2009.
Duran compiled a 131-133 record over five seasons at CSU-Pueblo, including a 113-101 record in RMAC play. Her teams qualified for the RMAC postseason tournament each of the last three seasons. She coached 16 all-RMAC selections in her five years at Pueblo, along with four all-region players and an All-American as well, also coaching the RMAC Pitcher of the Year this past season.
"We are excited to welcome Bianca to the Griffon family," Director of Athletics Andy Carter says in a news release from the university. "She is a proven program builder and her depth of experience and deep connections will bode well in continuing the MoWest softball tradition."
"I am incredibly honored and excited to join the MoWest family as the next head softball coach," Duran added. "I want to thank Andy and the administration for believing in my vision and entrusting me with the opportunity to lead this program. From the moment I stepped on campus, I could feel the pride, tradition and commitment to excellence that make MoWest such a special place. I can't wait to get to St. Joseph, connect with Griffon Nation and get to work building something special together. The future is incredibly bright, and I'm excited for what's ahead!"
Before CSU-Pueblo, Duran spent the 2021 season as the interim head coach at her alma mater, NCAA Division I Louisiana Tech University. The Lady Techsters posted a 22-30 overall record and a 10-10 mark in Conference USA under Duran's leadership, earning the No. 6 seed in the C-USA Tournament. Duran guided three student-athletes to the C-USA All-Freshman Team as well. As an assistant at LA Tech from August 2016 – September 2020, Duran was part of coaching staffs that guided the Lady Techsters to a 2017 C-USA Tournament title, a Tuscaloosa Regional berth, the 2019 C-USA regular season and tournament titles and a berth in the Baton Rouge Regional.
The 2019 Lady Techsters won 45 games, the second most in program history, while claiming both the regular season and tournament championships. Duran was part of the 2019 staff that was named the NFCA Mideast Region Co-Coaching Staff of the Year.
Duran worked closely with Preslee Gallaway, the 2018 C-USA Pitcher of the Year and three time All-CUSA selection, as well as Krystal De la Cruz, a 2017 C-USA Newcomer of the Year and two time All-CUSA selection, who anchored a LA Tech staff during the conference tournament runs. Duran also worked alongside the LA Tech outfield, which boasted 2018 C-USA Player of the Year Morgan Turkoly, a four time All-CUSA selection, and 2019 C-USA Player of the Year Jazlyn Crowder.
Prior to returning to her alma mater, Duran got started in college coaching when she spent the 2016 season as an assistant coach at NCAA Division II California State University-Stanislaus State.
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