FLORENCE, Ala. (July 21, 2025) – University of North Alabama head softball coach Ashley Cozart announced a new addition to her coaching staff on Monday, as Greg Larnerd was named an assistant softball coach.
 
Larnerd (pronounced LAR-NERD) joins the staff from Chattanooga, where he helped the Mocs to back-to-back Southern Conference Regular Season Softball Championships in 2024 and 2025. Chattanooga also won the SoCon Tournament in 2024 and made an appearance in the NCAA Regional at Tallahassee.
 
"Greg is a big time hire for us," said Cozart, who enters her 13th season in 2026. "His energy is contagious, he knows hitting and knows how to win. His past two seasons at Chattanooga, he was a part of conference championships. In my opinion, he is one of the top up-and-coming coaches in the softball world. I can't wait to have him join our staff."
 
Larnerd had over 18 years of coaching and teaching experience in the softball and baseball worlds. Starting in 2008, Larnerd lettered four seasons on the baseball team at SUNY Plattsburgh. Upon graduation, he became the head baseball coach of Xplosion Baseball in Connecticut.
 
Later, Larnerd relocated to Chattanooga, Tenn. and started the Scenic City Rangers Baseball organization in 2021. He led the elite team and oversaw the developmental team. This led into the official start of his softball coaching career, as he joined the Mocs in Janaury of 2024 as the assistant softball coach.
 
Outside of coaching, Larnerd has also enjoyed a stellar career in sports media. While in college, Larnerd directed the sports department of the campus radio station and advocated for online streaming. He was responsible for sports programming, including daily shows and live sporting event coverage.
 
Larnerd's broadcast career is what originally led him to Chattanooga as he hosted, produced and board-operated "The Word With G" on ESPN Chattanooga 95.3 FM from 2021-2024. He was also a weekly sports correspondent for News Channel 9 in Chattanooga and was the primary host of Inside High School Sports. His most recent venture was "Chatt It Up Sports" in 2024 after ESPN Chattanooga was sold, covering all local sports in the Scenic City. 
 
"I am extremely excited to join the UNA athletics and softball family as the newest hitting coach for the Lions," said Larnerd. "I'm incredibly grateful for Ashley Cozart and Whitney Hawkins for believing in me and my vision for our offense. I look forward to helping grow this program, develop our players not only as softball players but more importantly as people, and continue the success that they've had under Coach Cozart's guidance. Roar Lions!"
 
Larnerd graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2013 with a degree in Audio/Radio Production.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.