Gannon University Athletics

Joe Dolak begins his 16th season as a member of the Gannon softball coaching staff in 2025. He will reach 500 career games coached during the 2025 campaign and has been a part of a number of Gannon NCAA Tournament appearances under former head coach Tom Jakubowski and current mentor Michelle Wiley. They includes regional appearances in 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2024.

The former Gannon baseball player came back to his alma mater with previous coaching experience at the college and high school levels. He was an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Penn State Behrend for six seasons, helping guide the Nittany Lions to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. At Behrend, he worked primarily with the outfielders and hitters.

Dolak has high school coaching experience at two local schools. He was the junior varsity head coach while serving as a varsity assistant coach for seven years at Villa Maria (Pa.) Academy. The Victors made two District 10 appearances during his tenure.

At Mercyhurst Prep, Dolak was the junior varsity head coach and assistant at the varsity level for one season. The Lakers won the District 10 championship during his only season at the school.

Dolak is no stranger to Gannon. The 1983 Tech Memorial (Pa.) High School graduate played baseball at Gannon for two years under legendary head coach Ivan George. He was a four-year letterwinner at Tech Memorial prior to arriving at Gannon.