ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Missouri Western State University Director of Athletics Andy Carter has announced the hiring of Bianca Duran as the eighth head softball coach in program history.
 
Duran has spent each of the last five seasons as the head softball coach at NCAA Division II Colorado State University-Pueblo, leading the ThunderWolves to a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament championship and NCAA South Central Regional bid this past season.

"We are excited to welcome Bianca to the Griffon family," said Director of Athletics Andy Carter. "She is a proven program builder and her depth of experience and deep connections will bode well in continuing the MoWest softball tradition." 
 
The ThunderWolves were 40-18 in 2026 – their winningest season since 2001. The RMAC tournament title was the program's first since 2001 as well. The NCAA tournament berth was only the third in program history and the first since 2009.
 
"I am incredibly honored and excited to join the MoWest family as the next head softball coach," Duran said. "I want to thank Andy and the administration for believing in my vision and entrusting me with the opportunity to lead this program."
 
"From the moment I stepped on campus, I could feel the pride, tradition and commitment to excellence that make MoWest such a special place. I can't wait to get to St. Joseph, connect with Griffon Nation and get to work building something special together. The future is incredibly bright, and I'm excited for what's ahead!"
 
A Westminster, Colorado native, Duran compiled a 131-133 record over five seasons at CSU-Pueblo, including a 113-101 record in RMAC play. Her teams qualified for the RMAC postseason tournament each of the last three seasons.
 
Duran coached 16 all-RMAC selections in her five years at Pueblo, along with four all-region players and an All-American as well. She also coached the RMAC Pitcher of the Year this past season. 
 
Before CSU-Pueblo, Duran spent the 2021 season as the interim head coach at her alma mater – NCAA Division I Louisiana Tech University. The Lady Techsters posted a 22-30 overall record and a 10-10 mark in Conference USA under Duran's leadership, earning the No. 6 seed in the C-USA Tournament. Duran guided three student-athletes to the C-USA All-Freshman Team as well.
 
As an assistant at LA Tech from August 2016 – September 2020, Duran was part of coaching staffs that guided the Lady Techsters to a 2017 C-USA Tournament title, a Tuscaloosa Regional berth, the 2019 C-USA regular season and tournament titles and a berth in the Baton Rouge Regional.

Duran worked closely with Preslee Gallaway (2018 C-USA Pitcher of the Year, 3-time All-CUSA) and Krystal De la Cruz (2017 C-USA Newcomer of the Year, 2-time All-CUSA), who anchored a LA Tech staff during the conference tournament runs.

Duran also worked alongside the LA Tech outfield, which boasted 2018 C-USA Player of the Year Morgan Turkoly (4-time All-CUSA) and 2019 C-USA Player of the Year Jazlyn Crowder.

The 2019 Lady Techsters won 45 games, the second most in program history, while claiming both the regular season and tournament championships. Duran was part of the 2019 staff that was named the NFCA Mideast Region Co-Coaching Staff of the Year.

Prior to returning to her alma mater, Duran got started in college coaching when she spent the 2016 season as an assistant coach at NCAA Division II California State University-Stanislaus State.
 
During her two years as a player for LA Tech in 2014 and '15, Duran earned First Team All-Mideast Region honors by the NFCA and was named to the C-USA All-Tournament team as a senior.

Prior to playing at LA Tech, Duran spent two years at Western Nebraska Community College, where she set the program record for career home runs (40), single season home runs (23), single season doubles (29), single season batting average (.545), single season hits (110), career wins and single season wins (36). She earned Region 9 Freshman of the Year and All-Region 9 honors as a freshman and Region 9 Pitcher and Player of the Year honors as a sophomore.
 
Duran earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana Tech in 2015 and a Master of Arts in Sports Coaching from University of Northern Colorado in 2021.