NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State head softball coach Jason Anderson has announced the addition of Mandy Jordan as the program's assistant coach/pitching coach.
 
Jordan arrives in Natchitoches after spending the past two seasons at UAB and reunites with Anderson, whom she previously worked alongside at Southern Arkansas. Together, the pair helped guide the Muleriders to three of their 10 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Super Regional berth in 2023.
 
"Having Mandy back with me here at Northwestern State is a huge win for our program," Anderson said. "She brings great experience, energy and a genuine commitment to the student-athletes, and I'm excited to work alongside her again as she develops our pitching staff to compete at a championship level."
 
At UAB, Jordan helped oversee a pitching staff that showed significant improvement during her two-year tenure there. The Blazers lowered their staff ERA by more than 0.60 runs from her first season prior to her second and reduced the number of walks allowed in both seasons she was on staff.
 
Prior to UAB, Jordan spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Southern Arkansas with Anderson. During their time together, the Muleriders captured the 2022 Great American Conference regular-season championship and advanced to three straight NCAA Tournaments, including a Super Regional appearance in 2023 and a regional appearance in 2024.
 
Jordan played a key role in the development of Southern Arkansas standout pitcher Sydney Ward. Under Jordan's guidance, Ward compiled a 57-22 record with more than 450 strikeouts, a .221 opponent batting average and a 2.12 career ERA. Ward posted a career-best 1.82 ERA during her senior season in 2024 and earned First-Team All-Great American Conference honors three times.
 
Ward was just one of a handful of talented arms that benefited from Jordan's tutelage. Kiana Pogroszweski (2022) and Brinson Rogers (2024) each earned Great American Conference Newcomer of the Year honors along with second-team all-conference selections under Jordan.
 
In two of the three years Jordan was on staff at SAU, the pitching staff finished with an ERA of 2.25 or lower.
 
Before entering the collegiate coaching ranks, Jordan served as a graduate assistant at Auburn during the 2020 and 2021 seasons while earning her master's degree.
 
A native of Camden, Alabama, Jordan enjoyed an outstanding four-year playing career at Lipscomb from 2016-19. One of the most accomplished pitchers in program history, she posted a 59-30 career record with a 1.82 ERA across nearly 600 innings pitched. Jordan recorded 611 strikeouts against just 173 walks during her collegiate career.
 
Her sophomore season in 2017 remains one of the best in school history as she threw 29 complete games in 34 starts, logged 230 innings and posted a career-best 1.46 ERA while striking out 261 batters.
 
Jordan earned numerous accolades during her playing career, including selection to the ASUN Conference's 2011-20 All-Decade Team. She was named Second-Team All-ASUN in 2017 and 2019, earned 2017 Fastpitch News Division I Second-Team All-America honors and was selected to multiple conference tournament teams. In 2019, Jordan was named conference tournament MVP and earned NFCA Third-Team All-Southeast Region recognition.
 
She also excelled in the classroom, earning ASUN Academic Honor Roll recognition twice.
 
Away from the field, Jordan has been actively involved in community service for more than a decade, volunteering her time to provide food, grocery services, clothing assistance and other support initiatives within her communities.
 
Jordan earned her bachelor's degree in fitness and sport studies from Lipscomb and a master's degree in physical education from Auburn.
 
Jordan joins the Demons ahead of the 2027 season alongside retained assistant coach Paxtyn Hayes who enters her third season on the coaching staff.