Debbie Bilbao Position: Head Coach Alma Mater: Iowa Graduated: 1999

Debbie Bilbao was named Utah State’s head softball coach in August 2001, coming to USU from Sacramento State University, where she served as the top assistant coach for two years.

In her first year as head coach at USU, she coached the Aggies to a 12-44 record and a sixth place finish in the Big West Conference.

A native of Sandy, Utah, Bilbao was a starting pitcher at the University of Iowa from 1995-98. She was a three-time All-American and three-time all-Big 10 selection at Iowa, participating in the College Wold Series in 1995, 1996 and 1997.

“Debbie has earned the respect of her colleagues around the country,” said Athletics Director Rance Pugmire. “Everyone we checked with reiterated the fact that Debbie is considered a rising star in the softball coaching profession. We are confident that Debbie will make an immediate impact on the program. Her enthusiasm and determination will be a rallying point for the student-athletes she coaches.”

At Sacramento State, Bilbao was primarily responsible for the infield, catching and pitching staffs. Prior to working there, she served as a student assistant at Iowa from 1998-99, where she assisted with the first and third basemen, the pitchers and the hitters.

“We are excited about Debbie and are thrilled she has agreed to become part of the Aggie coaching family,” said Associate Athletics Director Kevin Dustin. “Debbie has prepared herself well for this opportunity, first as a player and then as an assistant coach. At Sacramento State she was the recruiting coordinator and was heavily involved in all facets of the program. She knows what it takes to compete in the Big West Conference and in the state of Utah.”

Bilbao also spent four years (1994-97) as an assistant coach and head coach of the Utah under-18 ASA team.

“Being a Utah native I am extremely excited about the opportunity I have at Utah State,” Bilbao said. “Utah State was once a dominant national program, winning two national championships, and I will do everything in my power to bring the program back to where it was.”

“We are very excited for Debbie,” said Iowa head coach Gayle Blevins, Bilbao’s former coach. “She has a tremendous softball background and I believe she will make an outstanding head coach. I am absolutely thrilled for her and am confident she’ll do a great job.”

Bilbao earned her B.A. in mathematics from the University of Iowa in 1999, with a specialization in secondary education and a coaching endorsement. She lives in Logan.