Jeff AnnisStaff

Jeff Annis is entering his 11th year as head softball coach for the Gusties. During his first nine seasons, he directed the team to an overall record of 299-122-1. In all but one season of Annis’s tenure, the Gusties finished in the top two in the MIAC with an impressive conference record of 178-39-1.

During the 2015 season, the Gusties took third place in the MIAC standings after the regular season, but went on to claim the MIAC playoff championship with a 4-3 victory over St. Thomas, marking the first playoff title under the direction of Annis and the first time a team other than St. Thomas won the playoff championship. Gustavus won its first game at the NCAA Tournament, 3-2 over Central College, but lost the following two. Annis became the winningest coach in Gustavus softball history in 2015, claiming win No. 294 with a 7-3 decision over St. Scholastica on April 27, surpassing former coach Tom Witty’s all-time mark of 293-211-3.

The Gusties compiled their first 40-win season in program history in 2009 under Annis. In his first season in 2006, the squad compiled the program’s first 30-win season with a record of 31-9. Over his nine-year tenure at the head of the program, the Gusties have reached the 30-win mark a total of seven times. Since arriving at Gustavus, Annis and the team have broken numerous offensive, pitching, and defensive team records. He has coached 18 players who have garnered 34 All-Conference honors, two Academic All-Americans, and one overseas professional player, Joyce DeWitz.

Prior to coming to Gustavus, Annis compiled a record of 463-84 during his 22 years as the head softball coach at Maple River High School. He directed his teams to 21 Valley Conference titles and 15 state tournament appearances. His teams won state titles in 1992, 1996, and 2001. Annis was named Minnesota Softball Coaches Association (MSCA) Coach of the Year three times and Section Coach of the year six times. He served as secretary/treasurer of the MSCA from 1986 to 1991 and then as president from 1991 to 1993.

Annis will continue his teaching duties in the Maple River school district, where he teaches adaptive physical education and drivers’ education, in addition to serving as the Activities Director. A 1979 graduate of Mapleton High School, Annis graduated from Golden Valley Junior College in 1981 and Mankato State University in 1983.

Jeff and his wife, Linda, live in Mapleton and have three children, Aaron, Heather, and Adam.

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