Lynn Anderson was named the new Bradley University softball head coach, the university announced on Friday, June 5.
Anderson, who becomes the 13th coach in program history, spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, helping the Division-I Cougars hit an Ohio Valley Conference-best .327 in league play during the 2025 season. Her other previous coaching stops include Minnesota Duluth (Division II), Grinnell College (Division III) and Wisconsin-Oshkosh (Division III).
After graduating from Wisconsin in 2008, Anderson volunteered on the Badgers staff for a season before joining Valparaiso as a graduate assistant. This is her first Division-I head coaching job.
“Lynn is a winner and a proven leader,” Bradley athletics director Chris Reynolds said in a release. “She has built successful programs, developed high-level student-athletes and made an immediate impact everywhere she has been from her time as a student-athlete to her career as a coach.
“We are excited to welcome her to Bradley and look forward to the future of our softball program under her leadership.”
Anderson played shortstop for Wisconsin for four seasons, leaving the program tied for fourth for single-season home runs. She also a member of the 2005 team that made the program’s third NCAA national tournament appearance.
“I am honored to join Bradley University and the Peoria community,” Anderson said in a release. “Bradley has a distinguished tradition of athletic and academic excellence, and I look forward to adding value to our community, our university and our team. I want to take a moment to thank my SIUE family for their wholehearted support as I take this next step in my career.”
“I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to Chris Reynolds and the entire search committee for their belief in me and my vision for our softball program. I see an incredible amount of potential here with our student-athletes, and I’m excited to begin our work toward establishing Bradley Softball as a consistent championship contender in the MVC. Go Braves!”
Bradley went 16-37 overall and 8-20 in Missouri Valley Conference play during the 2026 campaign. The Braves missed out on the MVC tournament under interim head coach Lauren Gambone.
Sarah Willis stepped down in January as head coach following three seasons.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Bradley hires new softball head coach from Southern Illinois-Edwardsville
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star | USA TODAY Network
