Softball

Heinz Mueller (1990-2025)

Head Coach- 1662-509 (.765)

Coach Mueller enters his 36th season at the helm of the Phoenix College Softball Program. The squad now has 20 players with 8 returning players and 12 incoming freshmen. 6 sophomores transferred to four-year colleges on scholarships. In 2025 Phoenix College ranked #8 in the nation in the preseason poll and finished ranked #5. Their overall record was 54-8 and in the ACCAC 33-3 finishing 1st in the ACCAC. The Bears have won 10 national titles and finished runner-up 4 times in 22 Nationals. They have also won 21 region 1 titles with 9 ACCAC titles. The team finished 9th at the National Tournament in Oxford, Alabama. NJCAA Nationals winning percentage is .772 winning over 81 games The team is consistently ranked in the top 20 of the nation academically with 3.25 G.P.A. or higher. Coach Mueller laid the groundwork to establish the program in his first ten years and is considered by many to have one of the finest programs in the nation. He has won 1662 games with the expectation to win his 1700 game this upcoming 2026 season. He is first in games won by any active coach. He has coached 157 All-Americans and 117 Academic All-Americans and over 290 have received four-year softball scholarships, and over 350 have graduated from Phoenix College under his reign. Coach Mueller received the NJCAA National Championship Coach of the Year ten times and his staff has received the NFCA Speed line Coaching Staff of the Year Award for the years 2005-06-07-12-21. Coach Mueller is a current member of the NFCA and NJCAA Coaches Association. He was inducted into the Arizona Softball Hall of Fame as well as the NJCAA Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Phoenix College Hall of Fame, Athletic Hall of Fame and ACCAC/REGION 1 Hall of Fame. In December 2021 he was inducted into the National Fastpitch Softball Hall of Fame. His entry means that he is considered one of the best college coaches in all divisions of play. This award is considered the highest achievement in the softball world. His entire program received the special recognition award from the Arizona Softball Hall of Fame this past August 10th 2024. June 18th in Charlotte, South Carolina Coach Mueller received the NJCAA Legacy Award for the most wins by a Coach in NJCAA History. Coach Mueller was not able to attend to receive the award. He also served as Athletic Director at Phoenix College for 13 years 1992-2005.

He is married to Janet Mueller and has one daughter Tina, two-step sons Jason and Ben with 7 grandchildren.