Coach Bridges is entering her first season as the head coach of the Whittier College softball program.  She was the assistant coach at the University of San Diego for the past four seasons, and takes over a softball program that was run by her sister, Erin Bridges-Thorpe, since 2002.  She also takes over as the Senior Women's Administrator for the Poets.

Bridges played catcher, first base and third base for USD from 1999-2001.  She was a member of the Toreros 1999 team that won a school record 44 games.  She graduated with a degree in Psychology with a Business Administration minor.  She went on to complete her Master's in Physical Education at Azusa Pacific University in 2003. 

Bridges has been an assistant coach at San Diego since 2003.  She was primarily the pitching/catching coach, as well as working with hitting instruction.  She has also been the Softball Camps and Clinics Coordinator for the Toreros since 2004.  She spent the 2002 and 2003 seasons as an assistant at Whittier College before coaching at her alma mater.  She also spent time as a coach at the University of San Diego High School and at the University of Texas Softball Camp.

Ed Andersen was recently the Head Softball Coach at Arcadia High School from 2005-07, where he coached the Lady Apaches back into prominence as a softball power in southern California. The team won consecutive Pacific League championships in 2006-07, and completed their first ever undefeated league season in 2006.  For his efforts, Andersen was named the West San Gabriel Valley Coach of the Year in 2006. Other honors include selection as the Pacific League Coach of the Year in 2006, and selection as the Head Coach in the inaugural West San Gabriel Valley Senior All Star Game in 2006. His overall coaching mark is 58 wins, 20 losses. Previously, Andersen was Assistant Varsity Coach at Arcadia H.S. for six seasons. Andersen is also a writer and outdoorsman, and is currently working on his latest book about the healing power of nature. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Santa Clara University and was employed as a sales executive for a global career management firm.   

Mike McBride helped found the current women's softball program along with Bob Giomi (Asst. Dean of Students) and Warren Hanson (Professor of Biology) in 1979. Mike has served as assistant coach from 1979-1990, 1994-96, and 2003-to present. He served as head coach in 1991-92 and 2000-2002. McBride is also Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department, specializing in human rights, the United Nations, and Russian politics. He received his BA, MA, and PhD from Purdue University and came to Whittier in 1969. During the team's first dozen years, Whittier was honored to have three All-Americans and two Academic All-Americans. McBride sees the current team as well on its way to achieving similar honors over the next few years.