IOWA CITY, Iowa – Brian Levin has been named an assistant coach with the Iowa Softball program, head coach Renee Gillispie announced on Wednesday.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brian and his wife to our Hawkeye family,” said Gillispie. “Brian is an incredible addition to our softball staff who will bring a wealth of softball knowledge and postseason coaching experience to our program. His ability to improve hitters has been seen throughout his career and I am excited to see what he can do for our student-athletes.”
Levin (Leh-VANN) brings 12 years of head coaching experience and a 405-215 career record to Iowa City. He joins the Hawkeyes after a stint as the head coach of Southern Mississippi. In his three years with the Golden Eagles, Levin compiled a 65-62 record with a 29-23 mark in 2022.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Iowa softball program,” said Levin. “Having the chance for my wife and I to be close to family while coaching in such a tradition rich athletics department is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity. Coach Gillispie has the program moving in the right direction, and I can’t wait to help her fulfill her vision for the program. Thanks to her and the search committee for believing in me. I am looking forward to meeting the team and getting started.”
In 2022, Levin coached Tata Davis, Destini Brown, and Jana Lee to All-Conference USA honors. Brown and Lee were NFCA All-South Region honorees.
Levin took over at Southern Miss after spending three seasons as the head coach at Belmont University. In those three seasons, the team advanced to two OVC Tournaments and posted a 91-70 record. The 91 wins are the most in the history of the program over a three-year span.
Prior to Belmont, Levin had a six-year run at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. During that time, he led the Tritons to a 249-83 record, including a 150-25 mark his final three seasons.
Levin led UMSL to four consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament berths, including consecutive Super Regional appearances in 2014 and 2015, and three straight Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championships
At UMSL, Levin coached eight All-America honorees, 21 All-Region selections and 37 All-GLVC selections. He was named GLVC Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2015.
Levin also spent three seasons as field manager of the Akron Racers of the NPF, where he coached nine All-NPF selections and he was part of the 2014 NPF Coaching Staff of the Year.
Levin began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at Murray State University.
The Granite City, Illinois, native founded STAAR hitting mechanics and camps and the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Clarksville Heat Softball Organization in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Levin spent 20 years in the military, including 15 stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with the 5th Special Forces Group. Among his responsibilities, Levin organized and trained combat forces. While stationed at Fort Campbell, he was an active volunteer coach for football, baseball and softball at Fort Campbell High School.
Levin played collegiate football and baseball at Peru State College where he was a two-time all-conference player. Levin earned All-America placekicker honors in college.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from Peru State College in 1988 and a master’s degree from Northcentral University in sports management and leadership in 2009.
Levin is married to the former Michelle Morgan and has two children, Alisha and Matthew. Alisha played softball for Providence College, while Matthew played football at the University of Dubuque.