EVANSVILLE, Ind. – After directing the University of the Cumberlands softball program to NAIA World Series in each of the last three seasons, Bailey Dillender was named the head coach of the University of Evansville softball program, UE Athletics Director Dr. Ziggy Siegfried announced on Monday.
“We are excited to bring Bailey Dillender on board to lead our softball program. Bailey’s track record speaks for itself — from developing championship teams to mentoring student-athletes on and off the field,” Siegfried said. “Her ability to recruit, develop talent, and foster a culture of excellence makes her a perfect fit for our future. We’re proud to have her at the helm and can’t wait to see what’s next for our program.”
Dillender has built Cumberlands into an NAIA powerhouse, leading the Patriots to a 138-23 record over the last three seasons while going 62-1 in Mid-South Conference games over that time. Her 2025 squad posted a 40-9 record while going a perfect 18-0 in conference play. That followed the two winningest seasons in school history as the led the Patriots to 49 victories in both 2023 and 2024. On March 22, 2025, Dillender won the 250th game of her head coaching career.
The 2023 campaign saw Cumberlands put forth a record of 49-5-1 and an unblemished 21-0 conference mark on the way to its first NAIA World Series appearance. Her 2024 squad matched the program record with 49 victories while recording a 23-1 MSC record. Since 2023, Dillender’s teams have won three MSC regular season championships, two MSC Conference Tournament Championships, and three NAIA Opening Round Championships while earning NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year honors in 2023 and 2024.
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to lead the Purple Aces, I immediately connected with Ziggy and the hiring committee about the vision of where we all collectively wanted the Evansville Softball program to be,” Dillender exclaimed. “Throughout this process the people who I have had the opportunity to connect with and the overall pride of being a Purple Ace stood out the most and spoke volumes of the momentum on our campus as well as within our community.”
After going 57-67 in her first three seasons with the Patriots, Dillender paced her team to a 41-16 mark in 2021 while coaching the program’s first-ever NAIA All-American. In 2022, Cumberlands went 35-16. She is a 4-time Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year (2019, 2023, 2024, 2025).
Along with the team accolades, Dillender’s student-athletes have enjoyed great individual success. She has developed eight NAIA All-American and six NFCA All-Americans. Since 2018, she has coached 52 MSC All-Conference selections and 19 MSC All-Conference Gold Glove award winners. In the classroom, her teams were equally impressive earning NAIA Scholar-Team honors each season since 2017 while 95 student-athletes have earned MSC Academic All-Conference honors.
Prior to joining the Cumberlands, Dillender was an assistant coach at Tennessee Tech from 2014-2017. Highlighting her tenure with the Golden Eagles was an Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship in 2015 along with an appearance in the NCAA Auburn Regional.
Dillender began her coaching career in 2012 at her alma mater – Campbellsville University. Following her playing career from 2008-2012, she spent the ensuing two years as an assistant with the program. She was one of the top players in program history, earning Mid-South Conference 1st Team All-Conference accolades in all four years as a player while serving as team captain in her final two seasons.
In 2010 and 2011, she was named the Mid-South Conference Player of the Year. Dillender was named an NFCA All-American in 2009 and a NCCAA 2nd Team All-American in 2011. She graduated Cum Laude in 2012 and made the Dean’s List in her final three years as a student-athlete. In 2023, she was named to the Campbellsville University Hall of Fame.
“I look forward to leading and serving our student-athletes while also striving to bring MVC Championships back to Evansville,” Dillender added. “Go Purple Aces. Let’s get to work!” |