Player Bio: Robert Wagner - University of Washington Official Athletic Site
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Wagner news and features:
• Washington Softball Hires Robert Wagner Assistant Coach - gohuskies.com (July 19, 2004)
Robert Wagner begins his first season as Washington assistant coach after a successful coaching career that spans nearly all levels of softball.
"My family and I are happy to return to Seattle and the University of Washington," said Wagner. "I am thrilled with the opportunity to contribute to this program. The University of Washington offers its student athletes every opportunity for success and I am excited to be a part of that. The academic setting, facilities, and location of the university are second to none. Competing for a National Championship is a goal the coaching staff feels is both realistic and attainable. I look forward to working with our players to help them reach their goals."
Wagner comes to Washington from Odessa, where he served as the head coach from 2002-2004. Last season, Wagner piloted the Wranglers to a 42-24 record to earn a berth to the NCAA Regional Tournament. The team broke four single-season records, including most victories, hits, runs and stolen bases. In just two short years, Wagner also set the record for career wins at Odessa and his teams set records in every major statistical category.
"Robert will have an immediate impact on Washington Softball," said UW head coach Heather Tarr. "His ability to develop talent both offensively and defensively will be exciting to see. Robert brings with him a dynamic perspective on the game and his coaching style will complement the styles of Eve (Gaw) and I. Being UW graduates, the three of us have a lot of passion for this team and we believe we have all the tools we need to compete for a national championship."
Prior to his time at Odessa, Wagner served as the first assistant at Utah for two seasons. While there, the Utes captured the 2000 conference title and won the 2001 conference tournament to advance to the NCAA Regional.
Before joining the Division I coaching ranks, Wagner was the assistant baseball coach and the Assistant Athletic Director and Head of Residence Life at Central Arizona from 1995-98. In 1998 Wagner joined the softball coaching staff as an assistant and in 1999 helped lead the Vaqueras to the NJCAA National Championship. The team fell just short of a repeat performance in 2000 with a runner-up finish in the national championship game.
Prior to his stint at Central Arizona, Wagner was the head coach of Woodinville High School in 1993.
Wagner earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Washington in 1995. He received his Master's Degree in Education Administration from Phoenix in 2000. He also served four years in the United State Marine Corps from 1986-1990.
A native of Tucson, Ariz., Wagner is married to former UW pitcher Nancy Wagner. Together they have two sons, DJ (6) and Brody (3).
