Minnesota softball head coach Jamie Trachsel has announced the addition of Katie Rietkovich as the program’s newest assistant coach.

Rietkovich comes to Dinkytown following a three year stint as a volunteer coach and camp coordinator at Ole Miss.

“It is with a tremendous amount of excitement that we welcome Katie into our program and Gopher softball family,” said Trachsel.“She comes to us having played, learned, and worked with many elite coaches in the country, in one of the top conferences in our sport.  She comes highly recommended as one of the best up and coming coaches in our profession and her intelligence, work ethic, passion and ability to teach are big reasons why.  Katie is a great addition and we look forward to everything she brings to our staff and program.”

The Savannah, Georgia native played an integral role in coaching the Rebel slappers guiding two players into the professional ranks, with a pair of players being selected in the inaugural ASBA draft. Rietkovich also guided Kylan Becker to become the first-ever Rebel to be selected to the USA Softball National Team.

“I am very excited and proud to join the Minnesota family,” said Rietkovich. “I would like to thank Coach Trachsel for giving me the opportunity to become a part of something so special. Minnesota is a national brand that continues to compete at the highest level and I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute to their success.”

Prior to Ole Miss, Rietkovich spent one year as an assistant coach at Savannah State under head coach Jose Gonzalez.

Rietkovich made a few stops during her playing career starting at Georgia under head coach Lu Harris-Champer where she was a part of the Bulldogs’ third-place finish at the 2010 Women’s College World Series.

In addition she reached two NCAA Regionals and Super Regionals. After her stint at Georgia, she played in the NAIA at both South Carolina-Beaufort and Reinhardt University.

Rietkovich earned a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management from University of South Carolina – Beaufort in December of 2014. She completed her Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from Georgia Southern in July 2016.