City College’s women’s softball team welcomes new head coach Tyler Heil to kick off this 2025 spring season.
Heil is no stranger to City College; he coached alongside former softball head coach from 1998-2017 Paula Congleton for one year before gaining division one experience.
He followed Congleton to the University of New Mexico in 2017 to coach softball and eventually coached at the University of Central Florida where he has recruiting coach experience from those two institutions as well.
Heil would like to pass any recruiting information to his players about how the process actually works versus what they might think when it’s time for players to transfer.
“I did it and I did it at a high level,” Heil said. “I understand the process and then applying that knowledge and experience to athletes.”
Heil decided to start coaching because he simply loves the sport. His love started in baseball, but shifted to softball as well.
“I love the game of softball . . . how it’s played and how it’s structured,” Heil said.
Watching his coaches growing up he learned many things and always wanted to pass it along in his own style of coaching.
He wanted to be a part of programs on a different level and teach the knowledge he gained playing sports to others. Heil wished to coach players and help them surpass where he did.
“I wouldn’t say necessarily I chose it, I guess it chose me a little bit,” Heil said.
Heil was offered other coaching positions during the summer, but decided to stay in Santa Barbara and come back to City College to be more available to his family. He was living in Santa Barbara for a year and a half already, but before becoming the softball head coach he was helping City College’s baseball program with batting practices.
“It ended up being the perfect fit for our family and lifestyle,” Heil said. “It was kinda the perfect storm at the perfect time.”
Heil hopes to help get his athletes where they want to be and utilize the community college system whether it’s academically or athletically while coaching.
He mentioned City College’s TAG opportunity or coach his athletes to develop more in softball if they’re more athletically focused.
The softball team almost did not have a season this year. Heil said this season he wants to get on the field, teach the players new things, become organized as a team and be disciplined, but mostly wants the players to have a fun season playing softball.
City College’s softball program has had smaller teams compared to other sports. Heil aspires to keep the girls motivated and consistent by keeping practices fun, engaging and as if they’re playing a game. He’s hoping to show the team there is a plan and there is a goal.
When it comes to Heil’s coaching style he takes the analytical and observer approach. Everything is going on in his mind, but not shown physically. He strategizes, but wishes to show how he thinks more physically in the future.
“I kind of pride myself in being calm like yes that didn’t go right, but how do we get to the next thing.” Heil said.
Since Heil is still adjusting to this new position, he hopes throughout the season to have fast paced practices, eventually have more intensity during practice and games. He hopes this is accomplished and becomes more natural to the players.
The differences Heil has seen coaching at a community college level compared to a university level is the athletes are playing to play the game whereas at a university level players may be playing for different reasons.
“I’m thankful to be here and glad I’m not at that level anymore,” Heil said.
He expresses it’s nice to have athletes who are motivated because they do want to play softball and not have any outside motivators that he experienced in the past.
Heil says there’s many ways this season could go but is looking forward to being able to build a team that’s his alongside the help of other people.
