After record-setting season, Boise State softball coach is leaving for Central Florida

BOISE, Idaho (Idaho Press) — It was about a week ago that Cindy Ball was standing inside the Boise State softball dugout talking about her excitement for adding former Eagle Mustang and California transfer Bradie Fillmore to the roster.

Wednesday she was in Orlando after a surprise announcement that she was the new softball coach at Central Florida.

“It’s pretty crazy, one minute I’m a Bronco and then I get an opportunity and it really did go very fast,” Ball told the Idaho Press. “It was pretty intense how fast it went.”

Ball just led the Broncos to their first Mountain West title and NCAA Tournament bid in May and had talked about her excitement level for next year’s team. Then came a stunning press release from UCF Wednesday morning announcing her as their new coach.

She led the Broncos to a 73-36 record the past two seasons, which was a remarkable turnaround after a 26-80 mark during her first two years in 2015 and 2016. The Broncos set school records for wins (40) and conference wins (18) this spring en route to their second straight postseason appearance, but the first in the NCAA Tournament.

“The girls talked about always leaving it better than you found it and I believe that it wasn’t a bad spot when I got here, but we’ve left it in a better spot than anyone has ever found it,” Ball said. “I have a lot pride and passion for the blue and orange, and that’s what made it such a difficult decision.

“It’s a business, but it’s tough because the team was an incredible team and it’s an incredible program. It was by far one of the toughest decisions I’ve made in my life, but I know that everyone is going to be OK after all this and we will all go on to do great things.”

Ball said she will receive a significant jump in salary at UCF, but said getting to live closer to her husband’s family in the Southeast was also a factor.

Ball confirmed that Boise State athletic director Curt Apsey made an effort to keep her in Boise, but that the situation was one she couldn’t turn down in Orlando.

“They really did a good job of showing they cared about me and how valuable I was, but this was an opportunity for me that I couldn’t pass up,” Ball said.

Boise State went 0-2 in the NCAA Tournament in the Washington Regional, but was competitive in both games. They lose just four seniors, and only two were full-time starters. Expectations were and will remain high for next year’s team even without Ball.

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“They will be great,” Ball said. “I was very excited to coach them and now I’m very excited to be one of their main supporters and rooters. They will still be great. Boise State is going to do a good job to get the next coach there, and the girls are talented and know how to play.”

Boise State went just 10-38 in Mountain West games during the 2015 and 2016 seasons and were one of the worst teams in the country. But they improved to 33-20 in 2017 and their jumps in wins (+19) and RPI (+131) were the biggest of any team in the NCAA.

They continued the turnaround in dominating fashion this season, sweeping New Mexico in the final series of the regular season to become the first team since BYU in 2001 to win the Mountain West despite being picked in the bottom half of the preseason coaches’ poll.

“I would say that this is something I didn’t go looking for,” Ball said. “I was sought out, and UCF had some really great things to offer. I’m very excited.”

Ball previously coached at Washington (assistant) Cal State Northridge (assistant), Cosumnes River College (head coach), Modesto Junior College (head coach), and her alma mater, Pacific (assistant coach).

She pitched for Pacific from 1999-2002 and was a two-time All-American (2001, 2002) and Big West Pitcher of the Year (2001, 2002).

Boise State athletic director Curt Apsey was not available for comment Wednesday, but a school spokesman said a national search will be conducted to find Ball’s replacement.

Ball said she emailed and texted with the Boise State team Wednesday morning as the announcement went public and plans to meet with some of them when she returns to Boise to pack up and prepare for the move.

She thanked former athletic director Mark Coyle for hiring her at Boise State, and thanked the current group of administrators and student-athletes for making her time with the Broncos so enjoyable – and for making it such a tough decision.

“They are my extended family aside from my children and my family,” Ball said. “It was a tough, tough decision, but Boise State, the administration, Curt, Christina Van Tol, they have been amazing. They’ve done a great job of making me feel more comfortable in such a tough time. They’ve really supported me.

“It’s not good bye. It’s see you later. I fully expect to compete against Boise State at some point in the postseason. That would be great for both of us.”

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