MIAMI – FIU softball head coach Mike Larabee announced on Saturday that he will be temporarily stepping away from leading the Panthers after being diagnosed with Myelofibrosis, a rare, chronic blood cancer that affects the bone marrow.
 
During his absence, Coach Larabee will be undergoing a bone marrow transplant and is expected to miss the 2025 season.  Associate head coach Mike Meyers will take over as the interim head coach, effective immediately.
 
"FIU softball is in great hands with Mike Meyers at the helm," Larabee said.  "We have coached together for 14 years, and no one knows our system better than him.  He also has a trio of wonderful assistants in Danielle Cassara, Amelia Varela and Kevin Shafer, who I have no doubt will continue to guide and mentor our young women.  My goal is to get back healthy and return for the fall 2025 season."
 
"The entire FIU Athletic Department is behind Coach Larabee, and he will have our full support as he focuses on his health.  We are optimistic that he will win this battle, and we will be behind him every step of the way.  Pam and I are praying for Mike, his wife, Dawn, and their family," stated FIU Athletic Director Scott Carr.
 
Larabee has led the FIU softball program since the 2021 season and possesses more than two decades of collegiate coaching experience.
 
The Panthers begin the 2025 season Feb. 6 when they host Indiana as part of the Felsberg Invitational.
 
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