CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Following the most successful season in nearly a quarter-century, Virginia announced a contract extension for softball head coach Joanna Hardin through June 2029 on Friday

Hardin led the Cavaliers a 40-15 record and third consecutive NCAA Tournament in 2026. There, the ‘Hoos advanced to the final of the Knoxville Regional before bowing out to Tennessee.

It was the first time Virginia hit the 40-win mark since 2002 and “continues an upward trajectory for the program under Hardin”, according to the release.

“We are fortunate to have Joanna Hardin leading our softball program,” said Virginia Director of Athletics Carla Williams. “She has a clear vision for where she wants Virginia softball to be and has continued to push our program toward those goals each season.”

“It’s truly a gift that our staff can continue to build on the momentum of the last three seasons, recruiting talented women of high character that value the Virginia degree and want to compete for a national championship,” Hardin said in statement, after expressing gratefulness to Williams and President Scott Beardsley for asking her to continue to lead the program. “Our athletes, support staff, fans, donors and families make Virginia such a wonderful place to work. The people really do make the place and in Charlottesville you can really have it all.”

Williams expressed confidence in Hardin’s understanding of “the landscape of college softball” and her ability to lead the program to establish itself nationally as collegiate athletics evolves.

Virginia has played in a regional final two of the last three seasons, and with the selection of Macee Eaton to All-America honors in 2026, the Cavaliers have had a player named to an All-America team in back-to-back seasons. Jade Hylton earned All-America honors in 2025.

The Cavaliers have had 10 All-ACC honorees and 13 NFCA All-Region selections over the past four seasons in addition to the two All-America selections.