One of the greatest Omaha Public Schools softball players of all time has been hired as Central’s new softball head coach.  

Tashina Coffiel, a two time all state softball player as a Benson Bunny and a four-year starter as a Creighton Bluejay, said that she hopes to bring a winning culture to Central softball.  

“Central is a school that has a winning presence,” Coffiel said. “I’m hoping to bring this culture to the softball team.”  

Coffiel was the assistant coach for the 2022 team and has coached for Nebraska Premier as a club coach.  

She first started playing softball when she was 11. 

“I started playing because all my friends at the after-school club I went to were playing,” Coffiel said. “I wanted to play the same games they were.”  

Coffiel attended Benson High School, where during her junior year the team qualified for the state tournament. There, they upset number one seed, Millard West. Her junior year she was All-State Second Team Honors and All-Metro Conference First Team. Senior year, Coffiel was on the Omaha World Herald’s All Nebraska Second Team.  

“We surprised lots of people while I was at Benson,” Coffiel said. “I’m hoping to help Central surprise lots of people like we did at Benson.”        

As a four year starter, Coffiel played third base and shortstop at Creighton University.  

Coffiel said she is excited about setting a new tone for the program. 

“We have girls who are willing to play and compete hard,” Coffiel said. “Now we have to make sure we are building confidence so we can shock lots of teams.” 

Coffiel said she knows she must focus on more things now that she is the head coach.  

“It’s a lot different than being an assistant coach,” Coffiel said. “I don’t just deal with the softball part, but I also have to make sure the schedule is correct and make sure the girls are doing well in school.” 

It wasn’t until after Coffiel graduated from college that she decided she wanted to be a coach.  

“After I graduated I was asked to help coach and I was a little unsure at the time,” Coffiel said. “I then really started to enjoy it.”  

Coffiel said she had great mentors that have helped her shape her coaching philosophies.  

 “All the coaches I’ve had in my life have taught me there is more to coaching than just the sport, it’s also about caring about the players life outside the sport,”Coffiel said. “I want to make sure I build a relationship with the girls on and off the field.”  

Coffiel will be bringing back assistant coaches Savanah Lakin and Mia Wicken as well as hoping to add one more coach to her staff. The season will begin in the Fall.