LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Six NAIA programs were selected by their peers as 2026 ATEC/NFCA Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, the Association announced on Friday.
Representing each of the NFCA’s six NAIA regions, these respective coaching staffs – Blue Mountain Christian University (Region I), University of Mobile (Region II), Southern Oregon University (Region III), University of British Columbia (Region IV), Lindsey Wilson University (Region V) and Madonna University (Region VI) - are now eligible for the ATEC/NFCA NAIA National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on June 11.
All six programs earned postseason berths into the NAIA Opening Round with British Columbia, Madonna, Mobile and defending champion Southern Oregon advancing to the 45th NAIA Softball World Series at the South Commons Complex in Columbus, Ga.
Regional (respective region only) and National Coaching Staffs of the Year are voted on by member head coaches.
Regional Winners (Records reflect games played through NAIA Opening Round)
Region I – Blue Mountain Christian
Head Coach: Matt Brunet
Assistant Coaches: M.J. George
Student Manager: Delaiah Billy
Earned the program’s first-ever trip to the NAIA Opening Round … As the No. 3 seed in Oklahoma City, BMC captured its first national postseason win against Williams Baptist, 4-3 in eight innings … The Toppers finished with a 39-17 record, smashing their single-season wins record (previously 27) … Established new standards for the program with 17 team single-season records, along with nine individual season marks.
Region II – Mobile
Head Coach: Alison Sellers-Cook
Assistant Coach: Sydney Pelaez
Graduate Assistant: Camryn McLemore
Headed to the NAIA Softball World Series for the first time since 2022 … Hosted the Mobile Opening Round as the top overall seed and posted a 4-1 mark, which included three win-or-go-home victories, the final two over No. 6 (tie) Eastern Oregon … Ranked 13th in the final NAIA Softball Coaches’ Poll and heads into the World Series as the No. 4 seed with a 39-16 record.
Region III – Southern Oregon
Head Coach: Jessica Pistole
Assistant Coaches: Cheyenne Bricker, Harlee Crown, Bill Rowe, Hannah Clavelle
Assistant Coach of Operations: Kim Budd
Advanced to the NAIA Softball World Series for the eighth time in nine seasons with a sweep as host of the Ashland, Ore. Opening Round … The Raiders, who are ranked tied for No. 6 in the final NAIA Coaches’ Poll, enter the World Series as the No. 3 seed with a 44-13 record… Captured their first Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament title since 2019 in convincing fashion, never trailing and outscoring their opponents 30-5 over four games.
Region IV – British Columbia
Head Coach: Jennifer McKellar
Assistant Coaches: Rob Warburton, Art Neufeld, Catrina Hedin, Nola Mountain
Advanced to the NAIA World Series for the first time in program history and are the No. 10 seed … As the No. 4 seed, posted a 4-1 mark in the Oklahoma City Opening round, which included two wins over No. 5 and host Oklahoma City, the second in a winner-take-all game … They also opened the round with a victory over No. 16 Grand View … Program-record 31 wins, four more than last season’s previous record of 27.
Region V – Lindsey Wilson
Head Coach: Callum Pilgrim
Assistant Coach: Annabelle Sharber
Graduate Assistant: Brylee Pickerell
Earned top seed and hosted the Columbia, Ky. Opening Round, making their first appearance since 2021… Captured the 2026 NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic with a perfect 5-0 record … Captured the Mid-South Conference’s regular-season and tournament titles … Finished the season with a 42-8 overall record and 14-4 in Mid-South action … Callum Pilgrim and Annabelle Sharber were named Mid-South Coach and Assistant Coach of the Year, respectively … Ranked in each week of the regular season and reached a high of No. 10 in the final NAIA Softball Coaches’ Poll of the regular season.
Region VI - Madonna
Head Coach: Ron Pezzoni
Assistant Coaches: Steve Toth, Dan Bressler, Shawn Hopper, Mike Baum, Jeff Laufenberg, Evan Zigler
Pitching Coach: Len Rothrock
Hitting Consultant: Aaron Fields
Advanced to their seventh NAIA World Series and will be the No. 1 overall seed … Swept through the Fayette, Mo. Opening Round with wins over IU Southeast, Midland and host Central Methodist … Posted two shutouts and allowed just one run in those three contests … Heads into the World Series with a 48-4 overall record and is on a 12-game winning streak … Won both the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles … Ranked No. 1 in final NAIA Softball Coaches’ Poll of the regular season after being in the top five since March 18 … Pezzoni was named WHAC Coach of the Year.
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