DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake softball head coach Lindsay Diehl has announced the addition of Maddi Banks to the Bulldog coaching staff. Banks will serve as an assistant coach as part of Diehl's staff.

A native of Bettendorf, Iowa, Banks attended Bettendorf High School where she was a three-sport athlete participating in softball, track, and basketball and was honored with the Best Female Athlete Award during her high school career.

Banks went on to play collegiate softball and spent time at three different programs in Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, and Miami (OH).

She played two seasons with the Hokies and made 75 starts at several positions hitting .259 as a freshman and improved her average to .340, which ranked fifth on the team, the following season.

While at Ole Miss, Banks was used primarily as pinch runner over two seasons.

Banks closed out her collegiate career with two seasons as a Redhawk and played in a total of 85 games. In 2023, she finished the season with a .311 batting average, 36 runs, 37 hits, seven doubles, three triples, three home runs and 16 RBI while leading the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Banks recently served in an assistant coaching role with Evansville last fall before making her way to Des Moines.

"I am truly honored and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join the Drake softball coaching staff," Banks said. "Being part of such a passionate and dedicated program is a privilege and I am excited to work alongside Coach Diehl and the rest of the coaching staff to help guide and inspire these amazing student-athletes.

"From the very first moment I stepped onto the field, I was struck by the energy, talent, and the willingness to learn from our players. Their commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, has already left a lasting impression on me. I look forward to not only coaching these young women to reach new heights in their game, but also seeing them grow as individuals, building confidence, leadership, and resilience along the way.

"I believe in the power of sport to shape young people's lives, and I am beyond excited to be a part of their journey," Banks added. "I am grateful to Coach Diehl for giving me this incredible chance to contribute to their development, and I can't wait to see the amazing things we will accomplish together. Here's to an exciting season of growth, teamwork, and success."