Bio

Eric Frese enters his 8th season at the helm of Kirkwood softball after leading the program to the NJCAA World Series in 2025.

The Eagles earned their highest finish in 40 years with a National Runner-Up finish in 2024.  Kirkwood placed 3^rd at the 2022 NJCAA National Tournament.  In Frese's first season with the team, the Eagles finished with a 4^th place national finish and also had a 7^th place national finish in 2021 and 2023.  In seven seasons with Kirkwood, Frese has an overall record of 317-99, with six Regional and District championships.  The 2024 ICCAC coach of the year led Kirkwood to back-to-back ICCAC championships in 2023 and 2024.  During that span, the Eagles went 46-6 in league play.

During Frese’s tenure, the Eagles have sent (15) former Eagles on the NCAA Division I level, (11) to the NCAA Division II level as well as (11) to the NAIA level.

The Norway, Iowa native graduated from Norway, where he played on three state championship teams.  He then went on to graduate from Mount Mercy University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology.  Eric and his wife Alisha have three children, their son Jackson and daughters Cora and Enslee. ​

*Covid season