Former Cal softball alum and national champion Jen Deering returned to Berkeley with a wealth of knowledge and experience, having coached and recruited at every level of the sport. The former Golden Bear pitcher rejoined the program after spending six seasons at Santa Clara, which led the West Coast Conference (WCC) in win percentage in 2024. During her tenure, the Broncos' pitching staff hauled in six All-WCC honors including the 2024 WCC Player of the Year, Hazyl Gray. Santa Clara had finished third in the WCC in team ERA three straight years and issued the fewest walks in 2024.
The Salinas native played at Cal from 2000-2003 and earned an impressive 43-5 career record with a 1.97 ERA. She made an immediate impact on the program going 9-0 in 12 starts with a 1.62 ERA as a freshman. As a junior she, alongside Chelsea Spencer, helped the program to its sole national championship going 13-2 on the year with a 2.45 ERA and the second most strikeouts (94) and innings pitched on the team. The Bears finished as national runners up during her senior season.
Prior to her time at Santa Clara, Deering was the head varsity coach for Piedmont High School for seven years leading the program back-to-back league championships and producing the league MVP each year, both pitchers. She also served as the head coach for Chabot College and an assistant coach for both Boston University and the Oakland Vipers, an elite club team.
Deering graduated from Cal in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in American studies and a minor in LGBT studies and earned her M.A. in education from Boston in 2009.
