Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Softball Named ATEC/NFCA 2026 Regional Coaching Staff of the Year
6/5/2026 2:00:00 PM | Softball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ––– The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced their 10 Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year on Friday (June 5).
Indiana's staff was selected as the Coaching Staff of the Year for the Great Lakes Region.
The Hoosiers are led by head coach Shonda Stanton, associate head coach Chanda Bell, assistant coach Kendra Kirkhoff and assistant coach/director of operations Cassie Hendrix.
Regional (respective region only) and National Coaching Staffs of the Year are voted on by active member head coaches. These 10 programs along with the national champion Texas, are eligible for the NFCA's Division I National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on June 18.
Indiana's staff led the team to a 43-16 season and a 17-7 mark in the Big Ten ahead of a fourth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance, earning a bid in the NCAA Knoxville Regional. It was the team's third 40-plus win season in the last four years.
The Hoosiers also were the No. 4 Seed in the Big Ten Tournament and reached the Big Ten Tournament's Semifinal round for the third time in the last four seasons.
Indiana had seven NFCA All-Region standouts in Ella Troutt (First Team), Aly VanBrandt (First Team), Josie Bird (Second Team), Alex Cooper (Second Team), Cassidy Kettleman (Third Team), Avery Parker (Third Team), and Madalyn Strader (Third Team).
Cooper, Strader and VanBrandt all were named to All-Second Team Big Ten, as well.
Indiana also set program records for runs scored (470), hits (523), home runs (87), walks (235) and RBI (429) this season.
Indiana's staff was selected as the Coaching Staff of the Year for the Great Lakes Region.
The Hoosiers are led by head coach Shonda Stanton, associate head coach Chanda Bell, assistant coach Kendra Kirkhoff and assistant coach/director of operations Cassie Hendrix.
Regional (respective region only) and National Coaching Staffs of the Year are voted on by active member head coaches. These 10 programs along with the national champion Texas, are eligible for the NFCA's Division I National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on June 18.
Indiana's staff led the team to a 43-16 season and a 17-7 mark in the Big Ten ahead of a fourth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance, earning a bid in the NCAA Knoxville Regional. It was the team's third 40-plus win season in the last four years.
The Hoosiers also were the No. 4 Seed in the Big Ten Tournament and reached the Big Ten Tournament's Semifinal round for the third time in the last four seasons.
Indiana had seven NFCA All-Region standouts in Ella Troutt (First Team), Aly VanBrandt (First Team), Josie Bird (Second Team), Alex Cooper (Second Team), Cassidy Kettleman (Third Team), Avery Parker (Third Team), and Madalyn Strader (Third Team).
Cooper, Strader and VanBrandt all were named to All-Second Team Big Ten, as well.
Indiana also set program records for runs scored (470), hits (523), home runs (87), walks (235) and RBI (429) this season.
Players Mentioned
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UT
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C/UT
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UT
/ SoftballMonday, May 18
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