OREM, Utah — Utah Valley University Director of Athletics, Dr. Jared Sumsion, has announced the hiring of Cody Thomson as the new softball head coach. Thomson becomes the program's sixth head coach during its NCAA Division I era.

Thomson has been with the University of Utah softball program since 2005 and was part of the program's transition into the Pac 12. He was elevated to a full-time assistant in 2009 and has been in that role for the past 12 seasons.

"Cody Thomson rose to the top of our nationwide search and stood out as one of the best pitching minds and coaches in the country," Sumsion said. "His reputation and personality, as well as his extensive experience as a coach in one of the premier softball conferences in the country, will prove vital in the continued growth of our program. Through the interview process, it was clear his number one priority is the academic and athletic success of our student-athletes. We are delighted Coach Thomson will be wearing Wolverine Green."

"First, I want to thank Coach Amy Hogue and the rest of the staff and administration at the University of Utah. I love that program, the University and the student-athletes I've been able to work with over the years," Thomson said. "I'm pumped for this new adventure and to be able to compete in the new-look WAC. I'm ready to get to work and coach our fantastic student-athletes. I'm thrilled and honored that Adam Sanft, Dr. Sumsion, Vice President Val Peterson and President Astrid Tuminez have the faith in me to hand me the keys to this program."

Thomson has worked with all facets of the Utah program and was part of a staff that was named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Regional Coaching Staff of the Year in 2017 after earning a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That season marked three straight NCAA Regional appearances for the first time in school history and included the team's second straight NCAA Super Regional berth.

Several players experienced tremendous success during Thomson's time at Utah, including two-time Pac 12 Player of the Year Hannah Flippen (2016 & 2017), who also was named an NFCA First-Team All-American. He helped coach 32 All-Pac 12 players during his time in Salt Lake City. At Utah, Thomson also coached 15 NFCA All-Pacific Region players, a three-time All-American, and members of the USA, Mexican, and British National Teams. That list includes three-time All-Pac 12 honoree Anissa Urtez, who was on UVU's coaching staff in 2019. Urtez has been a part of the Mexican National Team since 2015.

Thomson began his career at Utah in 2005 and was the volunteer assistant there for four years prior to his promotion to a full-time assistant. He also spent one year (1997-98) on staff at Southern Utah University.

Thomson also has a long and storied 14-year playing career in fastpitch softball as a pitcher including a stint as a member of USA Men's National Team. He helped the team to a second-place finish at the ISF Men's World Cup in Prague, going 2-0 with 18 strikeouts in the circle. He was also named Best Pitcher at the NAFA World Series in 2006 and was a four-time ASA All-American.

Thomson is married to the former Amanda Tuft and has four children: Mikaela, Chase, Cayden and Quinley. Mikaela was a second team All-WAC selection in 2021 for Dixie State.