Dakota Wesleyan hires Toni Closner as new softball coach
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 14, 2026, 11:49 PM
Last updated Jul 14, 2026
College SportsDakota Wesleyan University has named Renita "Toni" Closner as the new head coach for its softball team, effective August 3. Closner takes over after Stephen Oswald Jr. resigned following a season in which the Tigers achieved a program record of 35 wins. Her previous coaching tenure was at Peru State College, where her teams had a combined record of 32-144 over four seasons. DWU athletic director Ross Cimpl expressed enthusiasm for Closner’s appointment, highlighting her potential to build on the program's recent successes. Closner aims to foster relationships with student-athletes and the campus community.
- •Toni Closner replaces Stephen Oswald Jr. at DWU softball.
- •DWU finished last season with a program-record 35 wins.
- •Closner coached at Peru State College from September 2022 to 2026.
- •She had a combined 32-144 record during her time at Peru State.
- •Closner will officially begin on August 3.
- 11:49 PMYahoo Sports — Dakota Wesleyan hires new softball coach from Peru State
"Jul. 14—MITCHELL — Dakota Wesleyan University softball has hired Renita "Toni" Closner as the program's new head coach for the 2027 season. Closner replaces Stephen Oswald Jr., who resigned as DWU coach after one season in June. The Tigers compiled a 35-17 overall record, which was a program record for wins in a season. Closner will be DWU's third head coach in three seasons to lead the ...
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