LEXINGTON, Ky. — Michelle Manning, the former head coach at Albion College and Shenandoah University, has been named head softball coach at Transylvania, Pioneers’ athletics director Jack Ebel said Friday.
Manning, a former all-conference player at Mount Union College, has also coached at Bethany College during her career. She took over a struggling Albion program two years ago and had an immediate impact, posting records of 18-18 and 20-20. At Shenandoah, the team posted the second most wins in school history under Manning’s leadership.
“Michelle has demonstrated her ability to coach and recruit NCAA Division III athletes successfully,” said Ebel. “I think she will do a great job at Transylvania and we are delighted to have her join our staff.”
Manning has also coached volleyball at the collegiate level. She replaces Kelley Anderson, who guided the Pioneers for nine years and posted a 231-92-4 record, including four Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season titles and an appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament in 2006.
Three Albion players earned All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors last season and her team ranked in the top 10 academically. As a graduate assistant at Bethany, Manning was a member of the East Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 2002 following a 32-10 record and an NCAA regional championship. Bethany was 31-8 in 2003.
Transy was 32-12 last year, the fourth time in school history the Pioneers have won 30 games in a season. Transy has won at least 20 games for eight consecutive years.