Minneapolis, MN -- North Central University is pleased to announce the hiring of Matt Haefner as the new Head Softball Coach at NCU. Haefner most recently worked at Bethany Lutheran College as an assistant coach for the softball team from August 2020 to August 2021. During his season at Bethany Lutheran, Haefner's main focus was offensively as a hitting coach, while also working with the team catchers.

Before moving to coach at the DIII level, Haefner was the head coach at Prior Lake High School from January 2013 - July 2019. With a state runner-up finish and four conference championships, his successes have proven to be prolific. During his tenure at Prior Lake, Haefner started the MN Waves Club Program in August 2017. The MN Waves Club is a program that is continuing to make impressive strides under Haefner's supervision. MN Waves competes regionally with great success within club programs. Haefner currently coaches the 16U National team for the MN Waves Program. 

Before his coaching days, Haefner was a successful baseball and softball athlete himself. He started playing baseball for Mankato Loyola High School. He played his collegiate career at Mankato State University, where he was a 4-year baseball starter for the Mavericks. Following his time at MSU, he moved on to play softball. Haefner was a member of the Happy Chef National Championship team in 1995 for men's fast-pitch softball. In that tournament, Haefner was voted MVP of the tournament and was a First-Team All-American.

Haefner now resides in Prior Lake and he has since began his coaching duties on January 3rd, 2023.