COACHING STAFF
KAYLA NOCH | ASSISTANT COACH
Kayla Noch joined the Toledo coaching staff as an assistant coach in August 2022.
Noch came to Toledo after serving as Duke University's softball director of operations since July of 2021.
Noch was a third baseman and catcher for Central Michigan under Bracamonte from 2016-19. After graduation, Noch stayed connected to the game as a coach and instructor while pursuing a career in digital marketing. When the director of operations position opened at Duke, Bracamonte knew Noch would excel in the role and help the program succeed. During her time with the Blue Devils, Noch managed day-to-day practice operation logistics, as well as all travel logistics for the team, supported marketing & social media efforts, game day promotions, and fundraising. When the Blue Devils were not in season, she was the lead contact for managing camp registrations, refunds, check-ins, and the overall camp experience.
Prior to her time at Duke, Noch spent one year as a digital content coordinator for Known Advertising, where she supported the overall marketing and advertising strategies through paid media to improve brand awareness, conversions, and customer loyalty. Her daily tasks included updating blog posts, troubleshooting, scheduling out social media posts, and analyzing paid media campaigns.
As a student-athlete, Noch was a three-time Academic All-MAC honoree and NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete. She was a member of SAAC for three years, was selected by CMU's athletic director to represent the university at the Emerging Leader Council, and was a Bill Boyden Award nominee.
Noch earned her bachelor's degree in marketing & logistics from CMU in 2019.
JON GWIZDALA | PITCHING COACH
Jon Gwizdala joined the the University of Toledo as the pitching coach in August 2022.
Gwizdala began his collegiate career in 2010 as a pitcher for Delta College, a junior college in University Center, Mich. During his freshman year, he was president of the school's club baseball program, pitching and playing first base. As a sophomore, Gwizdala was named captain for the inaugural varsity season and was primarily used as a relief pitcher. Gwizdala became a volunteer assistant coach for Delta softball in 2013 and again in 2016. He completed his undergraduate degree at Central Michigan University and he served as a practice player for the Chippewas' softball team in 2014 where he worked with Bracamonte, who was an assistant coach for CMU at the time.
Before his Mid-American Conference coaching career began, Gwizdala served as the assistant softball coach at Davenport University from 2019-21. While on staff, he helped develop pitchers Emma Miller (first team) and Ellie Muilenburg (second team) to all-conference honors in 2021. Gwizdala was also the camp and events coordinator at Davenport.
Gwizdala spent the 2022 season as an assistant coach at Western Michigan, working with the Broncos' pitching staff. Under Gwizdala's guidance, the Broncos improved their strikeout total, ERA, and WHIP from the previous season. Senior pitcher Riley Galloway break the school single-season strikeout record (267) en route to a First-Team All-MAC selection.
Gwizdala's coaching resume also includes being an instructor at Diamonds Sports Training in Grand Rapids, Mich. and at the Great Lakes Baseball Softball Hitting Club in Saginaw, Mich. from 2010-16. He went on to become an assistant director of scouting for RISE Softball Midwest Region in Midland, Mich. from 2017-19. While at RISE, he managed media relations, disseminating information about events, and promotion, and assisted in the recruitment of 84 high school athletes who went on to play college softball.
Gwizdala was a member of the USA Men's National Softball Team. The team participated in and finished fifth at the 2019 World Tournament in Prague, Czech Republic. Gwizdala also traveled to the 2019 WBSC World Championships in Prague and the Pan American games in Lima, Peru with the Silver Medal winning Team USA.
Originally from Bay City, Mich., Gwizdala earned an associates degree in science from Delta in 2013, a bachelor's degree in exercise science from CMU in 2016, and a Teacher's Certification in science and physical education from Saginaw Valley State University in 2018.
Gwizdala and his wife, Chelsea, have one daughter, Sadie.