University of Minnesota Duluth Director of Athletics Forrest Karr announced Thursday the hiring of Deven Boland as the Bulldogs new head softball coach.

"We are excited to welcome Deven to Bulldog Country," said Karr. "Coaches and administrators who have worked with Deven all mention his ability to create a positive team culture, as well as his strong work ethic and attention to detail. Deven is connected with key UMD recruiting areas, brings high level coaching experience, and has a clear plan for moving Bulldog softball forward."

Boland takes over the UMD softball helm after three seasons in two capacities at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. Promoted to an assistant coach in 2024-25, Boland served in that role for two seasons after joining the Yellow Jacket staff in 2023 as the program's Director of Operations and Player Development. During his tenure, Georgia Tech made consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (2026, 2025) for the first time since 2011-12 and advanced to the NCAA Regional final for the first time since 2010 in 2026.

In 2024, Boland served as the Director of Operations for the Yellow Jackets, coordinating many elements of the team's travel logistics while also contributing with data entry and analysis of various systems for player development. In his first year with the program, Georgia Tech hit 89 home runs (1.62 HRs/game), the 4th highest average in Division I. The bats finished with a Top 10 national ranking in both on-base percentage (.409 – 9th) and slugging percentage (.558 – 8th) ultimately finishing with an average of 6.27 runs per game, the 14th best offense in Division I.

"I'm incredibly grateful to Athletic Director Forrest Karr and the entire search committee for trusting me to lead the softball program at the University of Minnesota Duluth," said Boland. "It's an honor to join an athletic department and university with such a rich tradition of success. I can't wait to get to work with our student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and community as we continue building on that tradition and competing for championships. I'm looking forward to what's ahead and I can't wait to get started."

Prior to his coaching success in Atlanta, Boland was the Director of Player Personnel/Operations at North Carolina State from 2021-2023, including a stint as interim head coach for the Wolfpack throughout the majority of the 2023 season. While serving as the head coach, Boland led all facets of a Power Four NCAA Division I program during a critical transition period, successfully stabilizing the program's culture.

Boland spent three years (2019-2021) as the Associate Head Softball Coach at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, Iowa.  He helped recruit and coach the winningest graduating class in program history (class of 2021) and had a hand in guiding the team to its first-ever Regional Final appearance.
 
Boland graduated from the University of Iowa in May of 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Enterprise Leadership.
 

What They're Saying About Boland:

"I am incredibly proud of Deven Boland as he takes over the program at Minnesota Duluth. He has been an integral piece of what we are building at Georgia Tech.  His work ethic, strategic mind, and passion for the game have left a lasting impact on our student-athletes.  I look forward to watching Deven implement his vision and lead the Bulldogs to new heights.  We will miss him here on the Flats, and the entire Yellow Jacket family wishes him nothing but the absolute best in this next chapter." 

Aileen Morales
Head Softball Coach, Georgia Tech

"Deven will do a great job at Minnesota Duluth.  He is vested in his players well-being and is one of the top forward thinking minds in college softball as it pertains to player development.  The Bulldogs are going to be in good hands with Deven at the helm!" 

Pete D'Amour
Head Softball Coach, Virginia Tech

"Duluth Softball is gaining not only a genuinely outstanding person, but also one of the brightest young coaching minds in the country.  Don't be surprised to see the Bulldogs competing near the top of the NSIC shortly - and producing nationally recognized talent along the way." 

Dan Gratz
Former Head Softball Coach, NIACC