FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Colin Hargis has announced the hiring of Lindsay Fico as the second head coach in the history of the university's softball program.

"Today marks an exciting milestone for FGCU Softball and FGCU Athletics as we welcome Lindsay Fico as the second head coach in our program's history. Lindsay brings invaluable experience and a proven championship mentality to the team," said Hargis.

"First and foremost, I'd like to thank Colin, his staff and the FGCU athletic department for giving me this opportunity," Fico said. "I'm very excited about working with a leadership group that aligns with what I believe in as a coach and as a person. I look forward to hitting the ground running with the FGCU softball program to put ourselves in a position to compete for championships in the Atlantic Sun Conference on a yearly basis."

Fico joins FGCU after leading Mercer University to its first Southern Conference championship and NCAA postseason appearance. The Bears went 40-26 in Fico's fourth year at the helm, finishing the season 21-5 in their final 26 games. Their season ended in the Gainesville Regional final against host Florida.

Mercer went 7-1 in the SoCon Championship, staving off elimination four consecutive days to win the title. Entering as the No. 5 seed, the Bears defeated Furman in an elimination game, followed by a win over No. 4 seed Wofford. After falling to top-seeded Chattanooga in extra innings, Mercer eliminated East Tennessee State, UNC Greensboro and Samford to reach the championship round. The Bears overcame a 5-0 deficit to force a winner-take-all game, then secured the title with a 5-2 victory over Chattanooga, powered by a two-run homer in the third inning.

Six Bears were named to the SoCon All-Tournament Team, led by pitcher Grace Taylor, who was named Most Outstanding Player. Taylor went 4-0 with a 2.59 ERA over 24 1/3 innings.

Mercer continued its historic run in the NCAA Tournament, appearing in the Gainesville Regional. After an opening loss to Florida, the Bears eliminated Georgia Tech 7-3 and shut out Florida Atlantic 7-0 before falling to the Gators in the regional final.

The 2025 Bears had five players earn All-SoCon honors, the most since 2021. Tori Hedgecock and Hallie Langford were named to the first team, while Sietske Drijvers earned second-team honors. Grace Jones and Hannah Rivers were named to the All-Freshman Team.

Each season under Fico saw Mercer improve its win total. After a 16-40 record in 2022, the Bears went 20-37 in 2023, 23-30 in 2024 and 40-26 in 2025.

In 2024, Mercer reached the second round of the SoCon Championship after going 11-10 in league play. Four players earned All-Conference honors, led by Hedgecock, who also received NFCA Third Team All-Region recognition. Five players were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.

In 2023, Mercer reached the SoCon semifinals. Four players earned All-SoCon honors, including second-team selections Rebeca Laudino and Kylie Helm. Two players were named to the CSC Academic All-District Team.

In her first season, Fico coached four All-SoCon honorees, with Laudino earning first-team recognition.

"My time at Mercer helped me grow as a coach and has truly prepared me for the opportunity ahead at FGCU," Fico said.

Before Mercer, Fico coached at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida, where she led the Saints to 70 wins over three seasons, including a 31-win campaign in 2021 that culminated in a Mid-Florida Conference Tournament title and the program's first FCSAA state tournament appearance in four years. The Saints went 20-1 at home in her final season, allowing just 2.9 runs per game.

Fico began her coaching career with the Santa Fe Inferno, a well-regarded travel ball organization in Central Florida. Her passion for coaching began with individual lessons during and before her collegiate playing career.

The former Lindsay Norfleet played four seasons (2003–06) at Florida, primarily in the infield under head coach Tim Walton. A native of Madison, Florida, she appeared in 206 games and helped the Gators to 165 wins and four NCAA postseason appearances.

Fico earned a degree in public relations from Florida in 2006. She married her high school sweetheart, Damon, in 2007. They have one son, Damon Jr. (D.C.).

Fico takes over an FGCU program that won more than 800 games in 23 years under head coach David Deiros. The Eagles won the 2024 ASUN Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. In 2025, they reached the semifinals of the ASUN Championship winner's bracket. Four players earned All-ASUN honors: Avery Viancos (first team), and Olivia Black, Allison Sparkman and Emily Chiarella (second team).