Accomplished Mount Vernon High School coach Robin Brand was announced as Cornell's head softball coach on June 16, 2025.
Brand has guided Mount Vernon to seven trips to the Iowa State Tournament and a 390-166 record through 14 seasons as head softball coach. The Mustangs claimed the Class 3A state championship in 2022 and finished runner-up in 2021. Brand was named 3A Coach of the Year both seasons.
“We are thrilled to have Robin join our team at Cornell and very excited about the future of our softball program under her leadership,” Director of Athletics Jeff Meeker said. “Robin has a passion for coaching and developing young people. She’s excited about the challenge of building a championship program. Her community ties and softball connections will be key components in this process.”
Brand was tabbed the 2022 Iowa All-Class Coach of the Year during Mount Vernon’s 36-4 state title run. The Mustangs qualified for state seven times during an impressive eight-year stretch from 2015-22.
The hometown hire now looks to elevate Cornell’s program in her first collegiate coaching role.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity and challenge ahead of me. This seemed like the right time,” Brand said. “I know the Cornell community and coaches very well and look forward to maintaining and creating positive relationships. I think how we can make things even stronger and better.
“I love Division III athletics. My four children, my husband and I, we’ve all been a part of it. This is an opportunity to be part of a special experience at Cornell.”
Brand’s Mount Vernon teams have reached 25 wins in each of the past 12 full seasons. The Mustangs are 185-71 in the WaMaC Conference since Brand took over in 2012.
Mount Vernon’s softball program has produced 33 all-state players under Brand’s guidance. Eighteen of her players have gone on to play collegiate softball.
“I’m excited to take on a Division III team that will strive for daily excellence in the classroom and on the field,” Brand said. “We’re going to build stronger leaders, motivated, competitive and successful people. We want to change the trajectory of our program and student-athletes. We’d love to see our softball program compete for championships.”
Brand recently completed her 15th year as an educator in the Mount Vernon Community School District. She plans to continue to coach softball at Mount Vernon.
Brand was a feature speaker at the 2024 Iowa Girls Coaches Association Clinic and coached in the 2018 Iowa Senior All-Star games. She was recipient of the 2017 Ed Thomas Award for High Character.
Brand has been an assistant on Mount Vernon’s volleyball staff since 2010, helping the program to 13 state tournament berths, six championship appearances and three titles (2024, 2019 and 2010).
Brand played softball at Central College, where she graduated in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She was head softball coach at Guthrie Center High School from 1998-2000, and head volleyball coach there from 2005-08.
