Colorado State Softball Announces Additions to Coaching Staff

FORT COLLINS – The Colorado State softball team and head coach Michelle Gascoigne announced three additions to their coaching staff Monday afternoon.

Colorado State adds Tony Smith and Jake Long while retaining Taylor Gilmore as assistant coaches heading into its 2027 season. These additions come as Colorado State prepares for the program's inaugural season as a new member of the Pac-12 conference. Smith will also act as recruiting coordinator.

"I am thrilled to announce Tony Smith as our hitting coach and recruiting coordinator," Gascoigne said. "Tony brings experience in working in all areas of the game and has a great way of connecting with athletes while preparing them to compete with confidence. It is also a dream come true to continue to work with my husband as our family makes this move to the wonderful community of Fort Collins."

"I'm grateful for my time at Northwestern and the people who helped me grow as a coach and person," Smith said. " As I begin this next chapter at Colorado State, I'm excited to join a program with incredible potential and a community that is deeply invested in its student-athletes," Smith said. "I look forward to building meaningful relationships and helping create a championship-caliber experience for everyone connected to Ram Softball."

Gilmore returns to the Colorado State coaching staff for her second year on staff as a CSU Alumni.

"I am excited to announce that Taylor will be returning to CSU to join our coaching staff this season," Gascoigne said. "Taylor has a passion for Rams softball and a heart for mentoring the student athlete. Her experience at CSU as a player and coach will help us build momentum in this transition."

"I am absolutely thrilled to return to CSU as an assistant coach! Having had the chance to both play and coach here makes this opportunity incredibly special to me. I love this program, these girls, this community, and this state" Gilmore said. "It's an honor to continue contributing to a program I hold so close to my heart. Under Coach Michelle Gascoigne's leadership, I'm extremely excited about the bright future ahead for this team. I can't wait to see what we'll accomplish together."

Gascoigne's final staff addition is Jake Long, who will serve as assistant coach.

"Jake is a Colorado native that brings high level experience in working with infielders as well as hitting and analytics," Gascoigne said. "We are excited to have Jake bring his knowledge back home to Colorado and complete our staff as a Ram!"

"I am incredibly grateful to Coach Gascoigne for the opportunity to return home to Colorado and join the Colorado State Softball program and this outstanding coaching staff," Long said. "I am excited to build upon the strong foundation and success that has already been established and look forward to contributing to the continued growth and achievement of the program."

More on Smith:

Smith enters Colorado State with more than a decade of coaching and player development experience across collegiate and professional baseball and softball programs.
Served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the softball program at Northwestern since 2023, where he assisted with offensive development, lineup management, scouting, on-campus recruiting and game strategy.
Helped guide Northwestern to consecutive Big Ten championships in 2023 and 2024.
Previously worked as a player development coach in the Detroit Tigers organization.
Former professional baseball player with experience in independent professional leagues across the United States and Canada.
Holds numerous certifications in pitching development, biomechanics, force plate analysis and athlete performance technology.
Brings a proven track record of developing student-athletes and fostering a championship culture.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results