Softball coach Bilbao ready to lead
Many students may not know where they’ll be seven years after graduating from high school. For some, being a head coach for a major sport at a Division I University is a possibility? Head coach sounds like a lofty goal for any aspiring athlete. There are a lot of players on any sports team, but there is only one head coach. Debbie Bilbao was recently named head coach of the Utah State University softball program just seven years after graduating from high school.
Bilbao (pronounced Bill-bOW) spent the last two years as the recruiting coordinator and top assistant for Sacramento State, coaching the infield, catching and pitching staffs.
She describes the change as a bitter sweet experience but she is ready to make Cache Valley her new home.
“I love it [here],” Bilbao said. “I’m thrilled to be here, and I absolutely love to see the mountains.”
The Sandy, Utah native seems to love being close to the mountains again and excited about the new opportunities at USU.
Her passion for softball began at a young age when her father started coaching her at the age of four. As the years moved on, her desire to succeed grew and her motivation turned from time with dad to a love to compete, she said. The games were always a reward for long, hard practices. If there’s one thing she has learned, she said, it’s how to compete.
After high school, Bilbao maintained a starting position on the pitching staff for four consecutive seasons (1995-1998). She was a three-time all-American, a three-time all-Big 10 selection, and conference player of the year in 1997 while pummeling to three consecutive College World Series from 1995-97. To some critics, she has certainly proved herself on the field with one of the most successful college careers in NCAA history.
“We are very excited for Debbie,” said Gayle Blevins, Bilbao’s former college coach and Iowa head coach. “She has a tremendous softball background and I believe she will make an outstanding head coach. I am absolutely thrilled for her and confident she’ll do a great job.”
Besides her contribution at the University of Iowa, Bilbao coached the under-18 ASA team in Utah, as assistant coach and then head coach, from 1994-1997. The year after finishing her four years of college eligibility Bilbao gave back another year as student assistant from 1997-98. She then graduated with a bachelor’s in mathematics where she specialized in secondary education and coaching endorsement.
“We are excited about Debbie and are thrilled she has agreed to become part of the Aggie coaching family,” said Kevin Dustin, associate athletic director of USU. “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 the state of Utah.”
Coaching has become a natural progression after competing for years as a player. Bilbao said there is “a lot about coaching that playing can’t offer and vice versa.”
A unique coaching quality she brings to USU is her vocal motivation towards the players. She’ll be the first one to compliment a player that has done well and also the first to get on her case if she starts to slack off, she said. Overall, she’s committed to the lives of the women she coaches, and that commitment is reflected in the goals she’s set for herself: Seniors should leave as better people, a diploma in hand, and a great softball experience.
“I could say something great about every player on this team. It’s a challenge and privilege to work with these kids,” she said.
The team has a long way to go to be at the level that Bilbao hopes to achieve but she optimistic about the ability of the team and coaching staff to win.
“Debbie has earned the respect of her colleagues around the country. Everyone we have checked with, reiterated the fact that Debbie is considered a rising star in the softball coaching profession. We are confidant 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,” said Rance Pugmire, Athletics director.
Bilbao is joined by Lisa Hall and Holly Dickson on the coaching staff. The softball team will have their only fall tournament the weekend of Sept. 29 at the cottonwood complex in Salt Lake City against Utah, BYU and Weber.
Bilbao loves to play golf, fishing and riding motorcycles.