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MISHAWAKA — Gessica Garber has returned to the Bethel University softball staff.
This time she is the Pilots’ head coach. Her hiring was announced Tuesday.
“My husband and I were really praying about the next steps for us,” said Gessica, who is married to Jed Garber. “We love pouring back into this game and really, really love pouring into college kids.
“We were looking for the right opportunity. It’s a faith-based school and that’s one of the most important things for my husband and I.”
Garber, 41, has met with returning players over Zoom and has begun the recruiting process.
“I always have my eyes and ears open, so we can build a really strong team and continue to fill in the pieces,” said Garber, who has a current roster of about 20.
Bethel, a member of the NAIA’s Crossroads League, went 7-41 overall and 3-33 in the conference last spring.
The 2026 roster featured pitcher Haylee Allen (Wawasee Class of 2024).
Garber’s connection to Bethel dates back to 2008, when she spent a season as an assistant coach to Anna Welsh, working primarily with catchers and hitters while also serving as the team’s head strength and conditioning coach.
During that season, Bethel won the Mid-Central Conference championship and the NAIA Region VIII title and advanced to the NAIA Nationals, with the coaching staff earning NFCA Great Lakes Region Coaching Staff of the Year honors after posting a school-record 51-6 mark.
From Bethel, Garber went on to the University of Southern Mississippi, where her duties included overseeing the outfielders and assisting with hitting and recruiting.
Garber most recently served as an assistant coach at the University of Notre Dame, her alma mater.
“I am beyond excited to start this next chapter with the Bethel University softball team,” Garber said. “I am expecting the Lord to have great plans ahead and I’m ready to grow with these girls.
“I am grateful for the opportunity given to me by (Bethel Director of Athletics) Jason Lewkowicz and forever grateful for my Notre Dame softball family for preparing me for these next steps.”
Garber earned four softball letters at ND (2004-07) and helped the Fighting Irish to three Big East Conference championships. She batted .290 with 25 runs batted in and a .383 on-base percentage as a senior.
During her ND playing days, she was used as designated hitter, catcher and outfielder.
She was a double major — Graphic Design and Psychology — and graduated in 2007.
Garber gained additional coaching experience as the head coach of the Triton Trojans, a 14U travel team from Bourbon, Indiana, and as an assistant coach for the Jersey Intensity 18U travel team.
As Gessica Hufnagle, she earned 12 varsity letters at Northridge High School — four each in soccer, basketball and softball.
On the diamond, she was a two-time team MVP, three-time all-Northern Lakes Conference selection (2001-03), first-team all-stater (2003), North all-star and led the Rollie Schultz-coached Raiders in batting average four times.
On the basketball floor, she scored 30 points in a game (then a school record) and was Northridge’s rebound leader as a junior.
She was team co-MVP and co-captain in soccer as well as all-NLC (2003).
“Coach Garber is a tremendous coach and leader, and an even better person,” Lewkowicz said. “She understands our mission to be Christ-centered, culture-driven, and competitively excellent and I look forward to seeing the softball program thrive under her guidance.
“Go Pilots!”
Garber’s coaching position is full-time though she expects to be able to be involved with some private lessons and clinics. To scratch her artistic itch, she takes painting classes.
“I like to be able to use that other side of the brain,” Garber said. “It helps me calm down, too.
“It’s just an outlet for me when life gets stressful.”
Gessica and Jed do not have children, but share their residence with a 12-year-old “fur baby” — a 70-pound German shepherd-Husky-Labrador retriever mix.
“She’s fun,” Garber said. “She’s still full of energy.”
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This time she is the Pilots’ head coach. Her hiring was announced Tuesday.
“My husband and I were really praying about the next steps for us,” said Gessica, who is married to Jed Garber. “We love pouring back into this game and really, really love pouring into college kids.
“We were looking for the right opportunity. It’s a faith-based school and that’s one of the most important things for my husband and I.”
Garber, 41, has met with returning players over Zoom and has begun the recruiting process.
“I always have my eyes and ears open, so we can build a really strong team and continue to fill in the pieces,” said Garber, who has a current roster of about 20.
Bethel, a member of the NAIA’s Crossroads League, went 7-41 overall and 3-33 in the conference last spring.
The 2026 roster featured pitcher Haylee Allen (Wawasee Class of 2024).
Garber’s connection to Bethel dates back to 2008, when she spent a season as an assistant coach to Anna Welsh, working primarily with catchers and hitters while also serving as the team’s head strength and conditioning coach.
During that season, Bethel won the Mid-Central Conference championship and the NAIA Region VIII title and advanced to the NAIA Nationals, with the coaching staff earning NFCA Great Lakes Region Coaching Staff of the Year honors after posting a school-record 51-6 mark.
From Bethel, Garber went on to the University of Southern Mississippi, where her duties included overseeing the outfielders and assisting with hitting and recruiting.
Garber most recently served as an assistant coach at the University of Notre Dame, her alma mater.
“I am beyond excited to start this next chapter with the Bethel University softball team,” Garber said. “I am expecting the Lord to have great plans ahead and I’m ready to grow with these girls.
“I am grateful for the opportunity given to me by (Bethel Director of Athletics) Jason Lewkowicz and forever grateful for my Notre Dame softball family for preparing me for these next steps.”
Garber earned four softball letters at ND (2004-07) and helped the Fighting Irish to three Big East Conference championships. She batted .290 with 25 runs batted in and a .383 on-base percentage as a senior.
During her ND playing days, she was used as designated hitter, catcher and outfielder.
She was a double major — Graphic Design and Psychology — and graduated in 2007.
Garber gained additional coaching experience as the head coach of the Triton Trojans, a 14U travel team from Bourbon, Indiana, and as an assistant coach for the Jersey Intensity 18U travel team.
As Gessica Hufnagle, she earned 12 varsity letters at Northridge High School — four each in soccer, basketball and softball.
On the diamond, she was a two-time team MVP, three-time all-Northern Lakes Conference selection (2001-03), first-team all-stater (2003), North all-star and led the Rollie Schultz-coached Raiders in batting average four times.
On the basketball floor, she scored 30 points in a game (then a school record) and was Northridge’s rebound leader as a junior.
She was team co-MVP and co-captain in soccer as well as all-NLC (2003).
“Coach Garber is a tremendous coach and leader, and an even better person,” Lewkowicz said. “She understands our mission to be Christ-centered, culture-driven, and competitively excellent and I look forward to seeing the softball program thrive under her guidance.
“Go Pilots!”
Garber’s coaching position is full-time though she expects to be able to be involved with some private lessons and clinics. To scratch her artistic itch, she takes painting classes.
“I like to be able to use that other side of the brain,” Garber said. “It helps me calm down, too.
“It’s just an outlet for me when life gets stressful.”
Gessica and Jed do not have children, but share their residence with a 12-year-old “fur baby” — a 70-pound German shepherd-Husky-Labrador retriever mix.
“She’s fun,” Garber said. “She’s still full of energy.”
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