SPOKANE, Wash. – Bill Baber, a softball coach with more than 350 career victories to his name at NCAA Division I, Division II and NAIA levels, will be the next head coach at Whitworth University, according to Director of Athletics Tim Demant.
Demant mentioned that Baber stood out among a strong pool of candidates. "I believe his experience, passion and commitment to our Christ-centered mission will take our softball program to new heights," he said.
Baber has spent the last 22 seasons at California Baptist University in Riverside. He was an assistant coach under Mike Smith from 2004 through 2011, during which time the Lancers won an NAIA national championship and appeared in the NAIA title game three consecutive seasons. Baber was elevated to head coach for the 2012 season following Smith's departure to another school. His promotion coincided with CBU's transition to NCAA Division II and he went 333-161-1 over ten years. In 2019 the Lancers moved to NCAA Division I and joined the Western Athletic Conference.
Smith returned to Cal Baptist for the 2022 season and Baber agreed to become the Associate Head Coach under Smith, a role he served through the 2025 season.
Baber is ready to return Pirate softball to championship contenders.
"The first thing you have to do is change the mindset that you can win, no matter what," he said. "Along with hitting the recruiting trail hard. It takes a lot of hard work, but I believe that Whitworth gives us everything we need to be successful."
Baber's squad won a National Christian College Athletics Association championship in his first year as head coach in 2012. The Lancers advanced to the NCAA Division II regional playoffs five years in a row from 2014 through 2018. During the 2017 campaign, his team set a school record with a 26-game winning streak. In 2020 CBU claimed its first-ever win over a power 5 school (Ole Miss) and its first doubleheader sweep of a Power 5 school (Michigan State) before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Prior to his time at CBU, Baber coached under Smith for three seasons at Biola University before serving as head coach in 2003 and posting a 25-27 record. He rejoined Smith at Cal Baptist the following season.
"Coach Baber not only brings a tremendous amount of college coaching experience, from various divisions, but also a tremendous heart to impact the lives of his players," Demant said.
Baber takes over a Whitworth team that has a history of success but struggled through a 6-32 campaign in 2025.
"First, I would like to thank Tim Demant and the search committee for giving me this great opportunity," he said. "I am excited to be at Whitworth and to be coaching at a Christian university while working hard to bring back a winning program. I can't wait to get started working with the returning players and the incoming freshmen."
