TGH AD
IMG Golf Partners
Tribune AD
TBO AD
Verizon AD
Dinning Partners
USF AD
Blue Cross Blue Shield Article
Coke Zero AD
WFLA Ch 8
advertisement

Print  
Ken Eriksen
Position: Head Coach
Alma Mater: USF
Graduating Year: 1984
Experience: 16 Years
Phone: (813) 974-4111
Email: eriksen@usf.edu
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(206392352)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(206361092)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(206301779)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(206301780)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(206301789)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(206301776)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(205125767)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(205075632)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(205075631)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(205005160)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204912862)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204913215)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204913209)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204913130)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204913111)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204913108)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204913066)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204913065)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204913064)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204913021)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204913015)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204913014)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204912861)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204912859)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204912855)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204898389)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204898388)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204898253)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204898235)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(204898234)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3688730)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3636307)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3636305)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3636241)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3636323)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3636293)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3636242)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3636329)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3588981)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3588976)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3588953)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3589017)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3589026)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3564611)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3564612)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3564628)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3559465)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3543312)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3518206)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3518205)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3518207)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3518194)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3518195)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3518196)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3518197)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3518202)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3518204)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3516617)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3516616)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3515593)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3515598)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3515567)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3515587)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3515568)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3515578)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3515579)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3513361)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3513364)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3508887)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3508858)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3508889)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3506035)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3506014)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3505700)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3505699)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(3506033)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(1362719)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(1297563)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(1297564)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(1255758)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(985235)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(985234)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(983166)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(983145)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(983143)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(983142)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(983167)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(983139)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(463787)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(463789)
0
CoachBio.Sell.Url=javascript: goToReplayPhotos(162037)
0
Eriksen Photos
View Gallery
876224
901008
856234
878944
849543
870349
837134
857410
831249
850381
829393
848044
828094
846513
762057
772766
760786
771470
756450
766866
748121
759429
746866
758190
746847
758169
745935
757257
745830
756893
745833
757046
745564
756765
744957
756354
744336
755833
691955
701136
690108
699155
689899
698942
688290
697169
685188
694279
684254
693457
683042
692308
679654
689110
676845
686450
621868
632556
414165
423654
395171
402267
388979
396695
386653
394761
384813
392316
372846
378752
364515
370913
139648
144315
92756
97726
Eriksen Videos
Play Video
More Videos
Head Coach Ken Eriksen Bio
Courtesy: USF
Release: 05/16/2012

 

Eriksen's Year-by-Year Record 
Year
 Record (Conf.) Postseason Ranking
1997
 50-13 (12-0) NCAA Regional (3rd)  9th
1998
 57-14 (11-1) NCAA Regional (2nd) 8th
1999
 44-26 (6-6)    
2000
 41-33 (13-9)    
2001
 43-34 (14-11) NCAA Regional (2nd) 22nd
2002
 24-33-1 (9-13)    
2003
 54-19 (19-8) NCAA Regional (5th) 25th
2004
 60-14 (18-5) NCAA Regional (3rd) 12th
2005
 42-28 (17-11) NCAA Regional (2nd)   
2006
 50-25 (17-3) NCAA Super Regional 18th
2007
 44-22 (15-5)    
2008
 44-20 (16-4) NCAA Regional (4th)  
2009
 34-22 (12-10)    
2010
 24-29 (9-13)    
2011 33-21 (13-5)    
2012 50-14 (17-5)  NCAA WCWS  
2013 45-16 (18-3)  NCAA Regional (2nd)  
Total
 739-381-1 (.660) 10 NCAA Appearances  

The motto above the doorway in USF’s locker room says a lot about Head Coach Ken Eriksen’s expectations for the USF softball program. It reads: 

Expect Perfection, Accept Excellence.

Eriksen has tried to embody this philosophy first as a player, then as an assistant coach, and now as head coach--all at USF. His philosophy of paying attention to all the details has provided the Bulls softball program success on and off the field. Through it all, he has come out a winner. Now entering his 18th season as USF’s head coach and his 29th overall with the softball program, Eriksen is imparting this wisdom to his players.

Since Eriksen became head coach in 1997, he has ended the season with a winning record on 15 occasions. While at the helm of one of the most successful programs on campus, Eriksen has led 10 teams to the NCAA Regional, won a Regional Championship in 2006 and 2012, and won the 2012 Super Regional to advance to the school's first ever Women's College World Series. Eriksen has also won four conference titles, including a BIG EAST Regular Season title in 2008 and the program's first BIG EAST Tournament Championship this season.

In all, Eriksen has amassed a record of 739-381-1 and is the winningest coach in the history of USF athletics. He has coached five All-Americans, including two-time All-American Monica Triner (1998 and 1999) and current USF pitcher Sara Nevins (2012), 15 All-Region selections and seven NCAA All-Regional Team members.  Success has come off the field as well.  Under Eriksen, USF has had six Academic All-Americans, nine Conference USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal winners and one BIG EAST Institutional Female Scholar-Athlete.  In 2001 and 2003, USF finished first in C-USA among softball teams with a cumulative grade point average of 3.24. In 2009 during the fall, the team finished with a 3.41 GPA and was more impressive with a 3.47 GPA in the spring.

Eriksen has guided USF to one 60 win season, six 50-win seasons and nine 40-plus win seasons. The Bulls finished 2012 ranked No. 8 in the NFCA/USA Today Coaches Poll, their highest finish ever. In 1999, USF was ranked as high as No. 6 in the NFCA/USA Today Coaches Poll during the season. USF finished the 2003 season with a 54-19 record, and Eriksen was named the Conference USA Coach of the Year. In 2004, USF finished with a record of 60-14--the highest win total in school history--and ranked 12th in the NFCA/USA Today Coaches Poll.

In Janurary of 2011, Eriksen was also named the head coach for the Women’s National team for 2011 and 2012, which will include the 2011 Pan American Games and the 2012 International Softball Federation (ISF) World Championships. Eriksen will become the first male in USA Softball history to represent the organization as both a player and a head coach.

In 2011, Eriksen led a young team to a fourth place finish in BIG EAST play, finishing with an overall record of 33-21 and a 3-5 mark in league play. The team was led by a group of five freshman who will continue to be a major part of the program for years to come. Eriksen was later honored with the 2011 USA Softball Coach of the Year award.

In 2009, the Bulls made their fourth consecutive BIG EAST Conference appearance since joining the league in 2006. They also claimed the USF Under Armour Invitational and The Game Tournament Championship. The Bulls finished the season ranked in the Top-100 in several categories: earned run average, batting average, W-L percentage, triples per game and double plays per game.

In 2008, Eriksen and his Bulls made their ninth appearance in the NCAA tournament while claiming their first BIG EAST Regular Season Championship. USF finished 16-4 in BIG EAST games in 2008.

In 2006, the Bulls entered their first year with a new conference - the BIG EAST - and made an immediate impact, finishing second in the league with a record of 17-3. USF made history by making its fourth-consecutive trip to the NCAA Regional and then went on to win the Gainesville Regional (FAU, UF, UNC-Chapel Hill), posting a perfect record of 3-0. USF then represented the conference by being the lone BIG EAST team to advance to the Super Regionals. For the third time under his direction, the Bulls were one step away from making a trip to the Women’s College World Series.

The 1998 season was one of the most successful seasons for the Bulls, as they finished 57-14 and won their second-consecutive SASA (ACC) regular-season title. Eriksen, who garnered acclaim as the Southeast Region Coach of the Year, led the Bulls to the NCAA tournament for the third-straight year.  USF almost made an appearance in Oklahoma City, but fell to to Texas in the NCAA Regional finals. Even though they did not make it to College World Series that year, they still finished eighth in the last NCAA Poll for 1998.

During his first year at the helm in 1997, Eriksen guided USF to its then-best-ever national ranking at No. 14 in the NFCA/USA Today Coaches Poll, finishing 50-13 and advancing to the NCAA tournament. In total, six of Eriksen’s teams have finished the season ranked in the Top 25.

Eriksen began his affiliation with USF over 25 years ago when the freshman from Stony Brook, N.Y., first appeared in Tampa as a baseball player for Hall of Famer Robin Roberts. It was under Roberts that Eriksen learned the strategy and execution involved with quality ball. In four seasons, Eriksen posted a .315 batting average and a 2.84 ERA while playing five different positions for the Bulls. In 1982 he was named to the All-Regional Team as an outfielder.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in political science, Eriksen decided to turn his attentions from the baseball diamond to the softball arena.  He competed at the elite fastpitch level with the Clearwater Bombers from 1986-93, and with Miller-Toyota of Salt Lake City, Utah, from 1993-95. In 1997 he retired after winning an ASA Men’s national championship ring with the Tampa Smokers.

During his playing career, Eriksen amassed a wealth of international experience. He participated in eight ISC World Championships and eight ASA National Major Championships. In 1988, he was a member of a select team that represented the United States against the Cuban National Team. In 1991, Eriksen was the catcher on the United States National Fastpitch Team that won a silver medal at the Pan American Games in Cuba. In 1992, he was named First Team All-World as a catcher and to the All-North American Team.  Eriksen played in three Olympic Festivals winning a silver medal in 1993. In 1997 after retiring from playing, he was named the head coach for the Men’s 19U World Team that represented the United States in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

In 2001, Eriksen was named assistant coach with the United States Women’s National Team and made history helping lead Team USA to an Olympic gold medal in 2004 while becoming the only USF coach in school history to accomplish such a feat. Eriksen, held his position with the national team throughout the decade, with the primary responsibilities of pitching, catching and scouting for Team USA, before being named head coach this year.  He recently led Team USA to the 2009 Canada Cup title.

Throughout his coaching and playing career, Eriksen has added to his workload with camps and clinics.

He is also thoroughly devoted to his family. Eriksen lives in Tampa with his wife Debra, his 16-year-old daughter Tatiana and his 12-year-old daughter Natasha.

 

 

 

 

 

USF Softball



Bottom Shadow