FIU softball coach Gator Rebhan and FIU ‘agreed to part ways’

Softball coach Gator Rebhan told The Herald on Wednesday that he had “agreed to part ways” with the FIU program.

Rebhan, who was named the fourth head softball coach in FIU history on August 1, 2014, declined to give reasons for the split but did add that “all 26 of the girls on the team support me.”

Tyson Rodgers, FIU’s director of sports information, confirmed that Rebhan is no longer with the program.

Maydel Santana, FIU’s assistant vice president of communication and media relations, replied to the Herald by email, saying:

“We typically do not comment on personnel matters. But I can tell you that we expect an interim coach to be named by the end of the week.”

Rebhan’s 2018 FIU team finished 30-25, getting eliminated by Middle Tennessee in the Conference USA tournament.

FIU pitcher Shannon Saile ended the year with 267 strikeouts, an FIU single-season record.

In 2017, Rebhan led FIU to perhaps its best season ever. The Panthers set program records for most wins (46), fewest losses (15) and best winning percentage (.754).

That team also finished fifth nationally in fielding percentage (.977) and 14th in ERA (1.77), advancing all the way to an NCAA Regional, where the Panthers were eliminated by Oklahoma State.

A native of Miami, Rebhan also led Palmetto High’s softball team to state titles in 2000 and 2002.

This story was originally published October 17, 2018 at 4:50 PM.