Oregon announces Melyssa Lombardi as head coach

After 23 years as a Sooner, Melyssa Lombardi is officially a Duck.

Oklahoma's longtime pitching coach and former catcher was named Oregon's head coach Monday afternoon.

“I am excited for the opportunity to become the head coach at the University of Oregon,” Lombardi said in a release. “This would not at all be possible if Coach (Patty) Gassodidn't take a chance on me 21 years ago. I am forever grateful to Coach Gasso and what she has done for me and my family. Over the years she has constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone to achieve greatness. The entire Gasso Family has been an absolute blessing, and I will miss them all."

Lombardi, who earned the NFCA Division I Assistant Coach of the Year in 2017, will take over for Mike White, who is the new head coach at Texas.

Lombardi was a catcher for Gasso's Sooners from 1995-96 and became a student assistant after her playing career. After just a year as

a student assistant, she was promoted to pitching coach, and in 2007, she was named OU's associate head coach.

She helped OU to four national titles, and she's been a part of four NFCA Coaching Staffs of the Year.

“A head coach could not have asked for a more loyal and valuable assistant than Missy Lombardi,” Gasso said in a release. “We have been side by side in the trenches and have shared 17 Big 12 Championships and four national championship moments together. But more than that, we shared ‘life’ together both on and off the field. That said, she is more than ready to be a head coach. She represents everything that is good about our sport and knows what it takes to compete at a championship level.

“We are proud of what she has accomplished and the role our program has played in her preparation. It’s time for this next chapter in her career, and she leaves with more gratitude than we can put into words. The OU coaching tree just went to another level, and we give our very best wishes and love to both her and her family as they embark on this new journey. The Lombardis will forever be a part of the Sooner Family.”