Steven Hardesty was hired as the Mission College Softball Coach starting in Spring 2020. He spent the last 13 years as an assistant coach at the college level. He will also serve as a full-time instructor in kinesiology.

Hardesty brings with him high energy, passionate approach to coaching, a desire to develop and build a highly-competitive program on the softball field, a model of student success in the transfer process and high level of academic success for the Mission College softball program.

Hardesty spent the 2019 season at Moorpark College and the 2018 season as the associate head baseball coach and recruiting coordinator at Santa Barbara City College. From 2009 to 2017 he was an assistant baseball coach at Ventura College.

During his tenure in Ventura (2009-17), the Pirates sent 87 players to four-year schools. He also assisted in academic progress, strength and conditioning and fundraising. He served as the team's hitting coach from 2012 to 2017. All-American outfielder Wesley Solomon finished third in the state with a .426 average in 2013.

Hardesty started his college coaching career as an assistant baseball coach at his alma mater, NAIA four-year, Westmont College (2007-08).

Hardesty finished his career as a two-year starter at second base at Westmont (2005-06). He hit .314 in his final season.

As a prep at Ventura High, Hardesty was an All-Channel League second baseman in 2001. He then transferred to Ventura College (2002) and received a scholarship to Trinity International in Chicago (2003).

Hardesty earned a degree in Political Science from Westmont College in 2006. He earned a Master's in Sports Studies (emphasis in Strength and Conditioning) from the U.S. Sports Academy in 2009. He earned a second Master's in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific in 2012.