Hailey Cole is entering her second season in 2024 as an Assistant Coach for Redbird Softball. Cole joined Illinois State Athletics in June 2021 as a graduate assistant and was promoted to Assistant Coach in September 2022 by head coach Tina Kramos.

Cole's primary role is working with hitters, but also adds value to the recruiting process.

Cole, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumna and former collegiate softball player, joined the Illinois State softball staff as a graduate assistant in June of 2021. She played four seasons with the Tar Heels while earning her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Education.  

While playing softball and maintaining a full course load, Cole was a student assistant in the Athletic Communications department at UNC. She helped write game recaps, create videos and run team social media accounts.  

After graduating, Cole stayed in North Carolina and worked as a private softball instructor. In this role, she not only instructed on hitting, slapping and defensive techniques, but also developed lesson plans and helped analyze in-game video.  

Cole also had a multifaceted role in the Ashley Burkhardt Training, LLC., as a social media coordinator and skill instructor. While providing training to athletes at camps and clinics across the country, she also helped the organization maintain a consistent brand image and create a social media plan.  

Most recently, as a graduate assistant for Illinois State softball for the 2021-22 season under former head coach Melinda Fischer, Cole helped create practice and youth camp plans, passed the NCAA recruiting exam, oversaw in-game charts, and assisted with equipment management.

Cole is originally from Welcome, North Carolina and currently resides in Normal, Ill.