Effective May 19th, 2025, David Deiros will assume the role of Associate Athletics Director, Strategic Engagement and will join the senior staff of the athletics department. Deiros will play a vital role in supporting the daily operations, strategic direction, and community engagement of the athletics department.
The founding father and only softball head coach in FGCU history, David Deiros retired from coaching after 23 seasons. Hired in 2001 to build the program from the dirt up, Deiros has since guided the Eagles to 18 seasons with a winning record, 10 campaigns with 35+ wins and a win percentage of .620 (779-477-3)*.
“After 24 years of dedicated leadership as head coach of the FGCU softball program, David Deiros has retired from coaching. We are immensely grateful for his contributions as one of FGCU’s founding coaches and look forward to his continued impact in a new capacity within our athletics department,” said Colin Hargis, FGCU’s Director of Athletics.
During Deiros’ tenure, FGCU Softball had 36 victories over Power 4 opponents and 11 wins over ranked teams in the Division I era. Deiros coached four district All-Academic team members, nineteen (19) All-South Region players, one South Region Player of the Year, three All-Americans (Ashley Cecil, 2005; Carmen Paez, 2007; Cheyenne Jenks, 2009), two top-25 Finalists for USA Softball Player of the Year (Carmen Paez, 2008; Cheyenne Jenks, 2009), a Daktronics National Player of the Year (Carmen Paez, 2007), and the single-season record holder for saves (Taylor Bauman, 2018). Most importantly, FGCU Softball has four members in the FGCU Hall of Fame and three players in the ASUN Hall of Fame with Carmen (Paez) Jimenez, Cheyenne (Jenks) Novak, and Courtney (Platt) Pohlman in both and Ashley (Cecil) Spencer in the FGCU Hall of Fame.
Overall, FGCU had a record of 199-138* (.591) in the ASUN with 14 seasons of double-digit wins. The Eagles have won three regular season championships (2008, 2012, and 2016), the South Division Championship in 2021, and qualified for the ASUN Championships in 11 of their thirteen eligible seasons. FGCU owned a 19-18* record in the ASUN Tournament and has earned one championship (2012) along with two runner-up finishes and a 3rd place finish. Coach Deiros was selected the ASUN Conference Coach of the Year in 2016 joining several Eagles who have earned the conference’s top honors with five Conference Players of the Year (Carmen Paez, 2008; Cheyenne Jenks, 2009; Courtney Platt, 2011; Chelsea Zgrabik, 2013; Louie Ross, 2016), two Conference Pitchers of the Year (Shelby Morgan, 2012; Riley Randolph, 2016), a Defensive Player of the Year (Reedy Davenport, 2021), and two Conference Freshmen of the Year (Riley Randolph, 2016; Reedy Davenport, 2019). In all, Deiros coached 19 ASUN All-Academic Team selections, 26 All-Conference First-Team choices, 24 Second-Team picks, 4 Third-Team selections, and 18 All-Freshmen Team honorees. .
A 1989 graduate of the University of South Florida with a BS in Chemistry, Deiros also holds a Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Miami (FL). Besides his head coaching duties at FGCU, Deiros had served as the Department of Athletics’ business manager and as a full-time chemistry instructor in the College of Arts and Sciences. His administrative experience over the years include ASUN Softball Coaches Chair for 10 years, NCAA Softball Rules Committee membership, FGCU Faculty Senator, and multiple committees at FGCU and in the NFCA. He was named FGCU’s Administrative and Professional Employee of the Year for the 2002-03 academic year. He will continue to teach General Chemistry at the university.
One of the most successful high school softball coaches in Southwest Florida, Deiros was the head coach at Lely High School in Naples before starting the program at Gulf Coast High School. In those six seasons, his teams posted a 116-67 record that included one district title, one regional championship, one regional runner-up and one state finalist. He has also coached high school baseball, girls’ basketball and football in Collier County. His teaching experience includes high school chemistry and physics, science department chair, and adjunct chemistry instruction at Edison State College.
*Some wins later vacated
