Burns Selected As Next Head Coach of Gardner-Webb Softball
June 24, 2026 | Softball
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Gardner-Webb University Vice President and Director of Athletics Brendan Fahey has announced Matt Burns as the next head coach of the Gardner-Webb softball program
"We are excited to welcome Matt to our Runnin' Bulldogs family," Fahey said. "Matt has proven himself at all levels of the game and we believe he's the right person to take this program to the highest level. We look forward to seeing our student-athletes take big steps towards success both on the field and in the classroom under his leadership, helping to establish Gardner-Webb softball as a true contender"
Burns arrives in Boiling Springs having spent the previous three seasons on staff at Ball State, first as an assistant and recruiting coordinator before being promoted to the Cardinals associate head coach position before the 2025 campaign. During his time at Ball State, Burns helped lead the Cardinals program to new heights, highlighted by a strong offense which he both directly coached and recruited. Ball State finished as the MAC Tournament runner-up in 2024, then finished third place in 2025. The 2024 Ball State team was notable for its power and discipline at the plate, finishing second in the MAC in on base percentage, slugging, and third in average and home runs. The 2025 team was perhaps even more impressive, finishing among the MAC leaders again in runs, runs batted in, on base percentage, total bases, home runs, walks and steals. Burns coached six different All-MAC players between 2023 and 2026, including one MAC Player of The Year selection
Prior to arriving at Ball State, Burns was back in the Carolinas, spending just shy of two years at College of Charleston as the Cougars recruiting coordinator and assistant coach. Across the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Burns helped turn around a program fresh off a 6-44 season in 2021, leading College of Charleston to consecutive CAA Tournament appearances behind a recruiting class ranked 21st nationally. Four players received All-CAA honors during Burns' tenure, including the CAA Rookie of the Year
Burns also comes to Gardner-Webb with previous experience in the Big South, having served as an assistant coach at Longwood during the 2021 season. Burns coached hitters, infielders and catchers during his stint in Farmville, mentoring a trio of All-Big South players as the Lancers won 14 conference games
Burns got his first head coaching experience during the 2020 season at Bucknell, taking the reins as the Bison's acting head coach during the shortened season. Prior to being promoted during the season, Burns was on staff as an assistant at Bucknell from 2017 to 2020, leading recruiting efforts, and coaching hitters and catchers. Bucknell was also known for its offensive prowess under Burns, with the Bison setting a team single-season record for home runs in 2018, and leading the Patriot League in batting average, on base percentage, slugging and home runs in both 2018 and 2019. Burns coaching led to major success, as Bucknell finished second in the Patriot League both years, winning 55 games with a combined 27-8 conference record
Before arriving at Bucknell, Burns got his start in softball at Skidmore College where he was an assistant between 2015 and 2017. Once again in charge of coaching hitters and catchers while handling recruiting, Burns coached five First Team All-Liberty League players and one Second Team NFCA All-American during his tenure
Burns comes from a significant baseball background, both as a coach and as a player. He was a four-year starter at Plattsburgh State from 2006 to 2010, before getting into coaching immediately after his playing career. As a baseball coach, Burns spent time at Akron, SUNY New Paltz, Bard College and SUNY Oneonta before moving into softball
A graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh, Burns earned a Combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Science for Teachers in 2011. He will arrive at Gardner-Webb, joined by his wife, Danielle, their son, Derek, and daughter, Gabriella
"I'm incredibly grateful to President Nate Evans, Brendan Fahey, and Clare Alaimo for the opportunity to lead the Gardner-Webb softball program," said Burns. My family and I couldn't be more excited to get to campus, become part of the community, and begin building something special. 'Sko Dawgs!"
