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Thiel College Athletics

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Michael Kernan

MICHAEL KERNAN at a Glance

Position Head Softball Coach
At Thiel Second Season (2027)
Coaching Experience 26th Season
Alma Mater Hiram

Career Record

Year Overall Conf. Home Away Neutral
2026 13-23 5-17 2-10 6-8 5-5
Career 13-23 5-17 2-10 6-8 5-5

Career HIGHLIGHTS - COACH

  • 13th head coach in Thiel Softball history
  • More than 20 years of coaching experience
  • 445+ career victories as a head coach
  • Four-time Hall of Fame inductee, including Hiram Athletics Hall of Fame and Ohio High School Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame
  • State championship-winning head coach
  • Eight district championships
  • 17 sectional championships
  • Founder of Softball U Academy
  • Helped lead Hiram to the 2022 NCAC Tournament championship

Career HIGHLIGHTS - PLAYER

  • Decorated multi-sport athlete
  • Pizza Hut All-American and three-time All-PAC honoree in football

At Thiel

Michael Kernan enters his second season as the head softball coach at Thiel in 2027.

2026

  • Completed his first season at the helm
  • Produced three All-PAC picks in Mackenzie Herman, Kylie Heid and Madison Hufford
  • Coached Herman as she set the Thiel career home runs record (13) and tied the single-season home run record (six)
  • Guided Heid as she capped her Thiel tenure in the top 10 of 18 different career offensive categories
  • Mentored five CSC Academic All-District picks and nine members of the PAC Academic Honor Roll

Before Thiel

Canfield HS (2023-25)

Kernan led Canfield High School to back-to-back Ohio Division II State Championship appearances, winning the 2024 state title after finishing as runner-up in 2023. The Cardinals posted a 72-11-3 record during his tenure while producing multiple All-State selections and consecutive conference championships.

Hiram (2022)

Kernan spent one season as an assistant coach at Hiram College, helping the Terriers win the NCAC Tournament championship and finish as runners-up at the NCAA DePauw Regional.

Ursuline HS (2002-21)

Kernan compiled 373 victories during nearly 20 seasons as head coach at Ursuline. His teams won eight district championships, 17 sectional titles and advanced to a state championship game.

Coaching Experience

Years School Position
2026-Present Thiel Head Coach
2023-25 Canfield HS Head Coach
2022 Hiram Assistant Coach
2002-21 Ursuline HS Head Coach

Education

Hiram
Bachelor of Arts in Business Management