Kris Ganeff 2023-24 Softball Staff

HONORS AND AWARDS:
2017 NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year
2016 NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year
2014 NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year
2013 BIG EAST Conference Coaching Staff of the Year
2011 BIG EAST Conference Coaching Staff of the Year
2004 NFCA Mideast Region Coaching Staff of the Year
2004 BIG EAST Conference Coaching Staff of the Year
2002 NFCA Mideast Region Coaching Staff of the Year
2002 BIG EAST Conference Coaching Staff of the Year

Regarded as one of the best all-around catchers in Irish history, Kris Ganeff is now in her 23rd year as a coach with the Notre Dame softball program entering 2024. In the summer of 2022, Ganeff was promoted to associate head coach, just the second of its kind in Notre Dame softball history.

Ganeff spearheads the recruiting efforts for Notre Dame softball, which annually attracts the top players from across the nation. In addition to being the program’s recruiting coordinator and running and directing Notre Dame’s camps and clinics, Ganeff served as the third vice president on the board of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

A key member of five NFCA regional and four BIG EAST Conference coaching staffs of the year at Notre Dame, Ganeff works closely with each player on hitting and defense, specializing in the development of the Irish infield and catchers.

Notre Dame Highlights:

• 5-Time NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year (2002, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2017)
• 2014 NFCA Donna Newberry Perseverance Award
• 2014 Alliance of Women’s Coaches Bigger Picture Award
• 21 NCAA Regional Appearances in 22 eligible seasons (2020 cancelled due to COVID-19)
• 12-Time NCAA Regional Finalist
• 11-Time BIG EAST Conference Champion (Seven Regular-Season, Four Tournament)
• 4-Time BIG EAST Conference Coaching Staff of the Year (2002, 2004, 2011, 2013)
• 2-Time Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Runner-Up (2014 & 2016)
• 4 USA Softball National Player of the Year Finalists
• 3 NFCA Freshman of the Year Finalists
• 24 NFCA All-Americans
• 102 NFCA All-Region Selections (49 First-Team Choices)
• 8 Conference Players of the Year
• 4 Conference Pitchers of the Year
• 2 Conference Freshmen of the Year
• 131 All-Conference Selections (68 First-Team Choices)
• 4 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans
• 25 NFCA Division I Scholar-Athletes selections
• 4 NPF Draft Picks
• 2011 Notre Dame Honorary Monogram
• Jarrah Myers – 2002 CoSIDA Academic All-America of the Year

NOTRE DAME DEFENSIVE SUCCESS UNDER GANEFF

Perennially one of the best defensive teams in the nation, Notre Dame has finished among the top 25 programs in fielding percentage in six of the past nine seasons dating back to 2010.

The Irish broke back into the national top 10 with a team .974 clip in 2016 to finish in solo 10th place. Notre Dame previously posted a .973 percentage with only 39 errors in 2015 to place 21st in the NCAA.

The Irish were 11th in the country at a .974 fielding clip, with the 37 errors recorded by the Irish in 2014 the second-fewest (36, 1993) during a single season in program history. What’s more, defenders under Ganeff’s watch produced a .978 fielding percentage (31 errors) in 2010, the nation’s fifth-best mark that season, with both totals ranking as Notre Dame records.

DEVELOPMENT OF IRISH CATCHERS

Carlli Kloss is the latest edition of elite Notre Dame catchers. 2023 saw the Cypress, California native takeover as the every day catcher after splitting time with one of the best defensive catchers in program history, Shelby Grimm. Kloss earned the program’s first ACC Defensive Player of the Year award, committing just four errors (.987 fielding percentage) and allowing four passed balls while catching every pitch thrown by the Irish staff. Kloss was dominant in controlling the running game, throwing out 13 of 29 attempted base stealers. That .552 SBA% was the top in the conference among every day catchers, and was one of the best marks in the nation. Along with taking care of business in the field, Kloss hit in the top two spots of the order all season, earning a .341 batting average with 20 extra base hits, 23 RBI and scored a team-high 43 runs.

Cassidy Whidden emerged as a standout performer behind the plate for Notre Dame during her final three seasons (2013-15) under Ganeff’s mentorship, finishing as a two-time NFCA all-region selection and a two-time all-conference performer. Whidden concluded her career tied for fourth on the all-time Notre Dame home run list (35), and was one of seven Irish sluggers to hit 10 or more home runs in consecutive seasons.

During Notre Dame’s final season in the BIG EAST Conference in 2013, the Irish enjoyed a national top 25 finish (23rd) with a final combined fielding percentage of .971. The Irish committed the fewest errors of any BIG EAST team (45), and senior catcher Amy Buntin staked her claim to being one of the best defensive players in collegiate softball, recording only one error in nearly 400 chances behind the plate (.997 fielding percentage).

Under Ganeff’s tutelage, Buntin was named to the 2012 NFCA All-America second team, at the time the 21st All-American in Notre Dame program history. Buntin led the Irish with a .360 batting average and 60 RBI, and posted a .990 fielding percentage behind the dish as a junior.

Ganeff helped mold catcher Mallorie Lenn into an All-BIG EAST performer in 2004 – a season in which the Irish also finished with a 49-20 record and took home the conference championship. Then in 2008, the Irish were without a catcher when starter Sadie Pitzenberger’s season was cut short due to injury. Ganeff took (then) freshman utility player Erin Marrone – who had never played catcher before in her career – under her wing to call the shots for all-region pitcher Brittney Bargar. Marrone saw action in 55 contests for Notre Dame that season and did not commit a single error in the field or behind the plate.

ACTING NOTRE DAME HC IN 2006

Prior to the 2006 season, Ganeff was promoted to the first assistant position with the Irish. The shift paid off well for all parties involved – Ganeff would assume full control of the team during the first three weeks of the season and led the team to a 7-6 record while head coach Deanna Gumpf was on maternity leave.

PLAYING CAREER AT NOTRE DAME

Ganeff completed her Notre Dame career by earning All-BIG EAST and All-NFCA Mideast Region honors as a senior in 1999. She hit a career-high seven home runs in her final season while throwing out 16 attempted base stealers from behind the plate. Ganeff ranks fifth in Notre Dame history with 1,040 career putouts, and logged 157 hits, 10 home runs and 75 RBI at the plate during her four seasons with the Irish.

The Virginia Roadsters of the Women’s Professional Softball League (WPSL) drafted Ganeff after she graduated from Notre Dame in 1999, though the former Irish team captain and MVP instead chose to head into the coaching ranks by taking an assistant position at UNLV.

THE GANEFF FAMILY

A native of Westerville, Ohio, Ganeff earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Notre Dame and completed her master’s degree in physical education from Ball State in 2009. The former Kris McCleary has been married to John Ganeff since 2002, and the couple resides in South Bend with their daughters, Deven and Hayden.