OMAHA, Neb. –– Omaha Softball head coach Mike Heard, the 2026 Summit League coach of the year, has agreed to a contract extension through at least the end of the 2030 season, Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics Adrian Dowell announced Tuesday.
 
"Coach Heard has built one of the nation's premier softball programs and continues to elevate Omaha Softball through a culture defined by competitiveness, toughness and consistency," said Dowell. "During his tenure, our program has captured five championships, earned three NCAA tournament appearances and consistently won on the national stage. Winning back-to-back Summit League regular-season championships reflects the standard of excellence we strive for across Omaha Athletics. We are excited to continue pursuing the ultimate ceiling of this program under Mike's leadership."

Since Heard took the reins of the softball program in 2022, the Mavericks have reached new heights, earning back-to-back conference regular-season titles in 2025 and 2026, with a stretch of three consecutive conference tournament championships and NCAA tournament appearances from 2023-25. Omaha recorded at least one win in each of those NCAA tournament appearances, including advancing to the program's first Division I regional final (2024).

"I'm incredibly grateful to Chancellor (Joanne) Li and Adrian [Dowell] for their continued belief in our program and the direction we are headed," said Heard. "The support surrounding Omaha Softball has never been stronger, from our campus community to the record-breaking crowds we welcomed at Connie Claussen Field this season. That energy and investment in our program, along with the upcoming addition of our future clubhouse, make this a transformational time for UNO and I am excited about what the future holds for Maverick Softball."

The Nebraska native, a two-time Summit League coach of the year, guided the Mavericks to a top five mid-major rank this season, making Omaha the only team to not fall from the top five among its peers. The Mavericks consistently received votes in the NFCA top 25 poll in 2026.

Since 2023, the program has won 16 games against Autonomous Four opponents, including NCAA tournament contests. This season, Omaha defeated Iowa State twice and split the season series with BYU, both Big 12 Conference members.

In 2026, Omaha placed nine on All-Summit League teams including defensive player of the year Marra Cramer, the first outfielder to earn the honor. Maddia Groff earned her second straight conference pitcher of the year accolade, the third straight season a Maverick won the title.

Five Mavericks were named to NFCA All-Region teams this season.

In the classroom, Heard's student-athletes have combined for 49 NFCA Scholar-Athlete honors while the 2025 team's 3.787 GPA was good for an NFCA/Easton Top 10 GPA award, the program's second in Heard's tenure. The Mavericks have bolstered a GPA of at least 3.50 in every semester Heard has served as head coach.

The 2026 Mavericks finished the campaign 37-12 (.755), including going undefeated in league play at home. Omaha went 15-2 in conference play this season.

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