COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Iowa Western President Dr. Dan Kinney and Athletic Director Shane Larson have announced the hiring of Heidi Jordan as the new head softball coach of the Reivers.
"Coach Jordan brings a championship background that will take our Reiver Softball program to the next level," said Dr. Kinney. "She has a long history of championship teams! We can't wait to get her on campus and get to work on building a championship culture in our softball program."
Jordan, who spent the 2021-22 season as the head softball coach of NCAA DII Rockhurst University, was at the helm of the Highland Community College (KS) softball program for 17 years where she posted a 576-234 record.
"I am honored to be a part of the Iowa Western community," said Coach Jordan. "My heart is and always will be in junior college. I believe in the process and the development that takes place and the opportunities it opens up for the student-athletes. I would like to thank Athletic Director Shane Larson and President Dr. Kinney for believing in me and my abilities to run this program,"
"Coach Jordan will be a great addition to the Reiver Family," said Larson. "I have known Heidi for seven years and I have always admired how she led her programs. During her time at Highland, she built one of the top junior college softball programs in the nation. We are excited to see her build a championship-level program here at Iowa Western."
During her time at Highland, Jordan led her teams to eight district championships and appeared in eight National Junior College Athletic Association softball national tournaments. Her teams captured five Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference championships and had a conference record of 281-82. Coach Jordan guided her teams to 30 or more wins 11 times and five of her last ten seasons saw 40-plus wins, including a high-water mark of 49 victories in 2012.
"I have been blessed to have a very successful career up to this point," added Jordan. "With my experience and what Iowa Western has to offer, it provides the best opportunities to achieve all of our goals. My staff and I will work diligently every day to bring in student-athletes that will give back to the community… student-athletes who Iowa Western can be proud of."
A four-time KJCCC Eastern Division Coach of the year, Jordan has mentored 57 NJCAA All-Americans, 74 All-KJCCC honorees, and 80 All-Region VI selections. Her student-athletes also succeeded in the classroom with 12 NJCAA All-Academic Team of the Year honors. Highland had 23 athletes earn NJCAA Distinguished Academic All-American awards (3.80 GPA or better) and 43 athletes receive NJCAA Academic All-American honors.
A two-year standout as a player at Highland, Jordan earned All-Conference and All-Region honors as both a pitcher and designated hitter in 1999 and 2000. She joined the Highland coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2003 before taking over as head coach in 2004.
Jordan earned her associate's degree from Highland in 2000 and received her bachelor's degree in physical education from Missouri Western State University in 2002.
