Bio

Garland Shirley was named Clarke University's head softball coach in July of 2018.

Shirley came to Clarke from Marshalltown (Iowa) Community College, where he spent three seasons at head softball coach. The Tigers improved their win total by 26 in Shirley's first season at Marshalltown and the program's 52 wins over two seasons was a school record.  Shirley coached 13 All-Region players in three seasons and produced the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) Offensive Player of the Year in 2017 and the ICCAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. His 2016 team was named a National Junior College Athletic Association All-Academic Team and he coached 19 All-Academic Team performers.

Prior to his stint at Marshalltown, Shirley was the first softball coach at Ankeny Centennial High School.  He led the Centennial program for four years. During that period, the Jaguars were a two-time regional finalist.  Shirley coached the Class 5A Player of the Year and the NCAA Freshman fo the Year.

Shirley spent five seasons as the head softball coach at Van Meter Community High School. He compiled a 117-61 overall record, was named the 2012 District Coach of the Year and led Van Meter to its first state tournament appearance in 2012.  He coached six All-State players and the Class 2A Player of the Year.  Shirley's squads received state rankings for three straight years for the first time in program history.

Shirley was the assistant softball coach at AIB College of Business from 2013 to 2015.

Shirley received his bachelor of arts degree in sports and event management from AIB College of Business, and is pursuing his master's degree in sports psychology at Capella University.