Jodie Cox Named Head Coach of CSUN Softball

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- CSUN Director of Athletics Ryan Swartwood has officially named Jodie Cox as the eighth head coach in the storied history of CSUN Softball. Cox takes the reigns of the program after leading the Matadors to 14 wins in 2026 as the interim head coach.

"We are excited to announce Jodie Cox as our Head Coach. Jodie's extensive experience in the Big West Conference, passion for CSUN Softball, and clear vision for the future made her the right person to lead our program." Swartwood said.

This past season, Cox led the Matadors to 14 hard-fought wins, navigating a roster that included 17 newcomers with eight freshmen and only seven returners.

Highlights of the 2026 season included a 6-3 win over the California Golden Bears, a Power Five program from the ACC. It was the Matadors' first win over Cal since 1995 and the first time CSUN has ever defeated the Golden Bears in Northridge. Under Cox, CSUN also posted impressive wins over BYU, Oregon State and San Diego State along with a conference road series win at UC Davis. The Matadors also opened the Big West season with series wins against UC Riverside and Cal Poly.

Under Cox, three Matadors took home All-Big West recognition for their play in 2026. Madison Okano, Raegan Jackson, and Vanessa Perez each earned All-Big West Honorable Mention honors for their contributions this past season.

"Having played and been coached by those at the highest levels of our sport, I am confident in what I am looking for to build a successful program." Cox said. "We have a rich history of success, a winning culture and love of the game. We have players that have no limits on what we can accomplish together with our program. We are building on what we have started with our returning players, I am beyond excited for the future of CSUN softball."

Cox returned to CSUN in 2025 after building an extensive coaching resume in the Division I, Division III, and high school ranks. As a pitching coach under previous head coach Charlotte Morgan in 2025, she helped coach CSUN to a staff 3.61 ERA, while the team finished as runner up at the Big West Championship. The pitching staff racked up 180 strikeouts on the year. She also previously served as a CSUN assistant coach under head coach Barbara Jordan from 2005-2007, when the Matadors won 61 games over a three-year period and earned an NCAA Regional berth in 2007.

As a student-athlete, Cox was a four-year starting pitcher at Cal State Fullerton from 2000-03, where she helped the Titans to four consecutive Big West titles and NCAA Tournament appearances. She earned NFCA All-America Third Team accolades as a senior along with four consecutive All-Big West selections, including three first-team honors and two All-West Region First Team awards in her career. Cox went 21-7 with a 1.06 ERA and 224 strikeouts in the circle in 2003 as she held opponents to a .125 batting average en route to collecting Co-Big West Pitcher of the Year accolades.

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California State University Northridge Athletics

Jodie Cox Named Head Coach of CSUN Softball

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Raegan Jackson

Madison Okano

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