Doug Gillis named Associate Head Coach for UE Softball
Gillis brings experience from SEC, ACC, and Big 12
JUNE 14, 2024
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville head softball coach Mat Mundell has announced the hiring of Doug Gills as the Associate Head Coach for the Purple Aces program.
Gillis brings a wealth of experience to the UE program both as a player and coach at the top levels of the sport.
“Today is a tremendous day for Aces softball. I am thrilled to be able to add a coach the caliber of Coach Gillis,” Coach Mundell exclaimed. “He has a proven track record of working with and developing some of the best pitchers in the game. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge not only from what he has done as a coach but also his own playing career.”
In his time as a college coach, Gillis has developed pitchers that have won their respective conference Pitcher of the Year awards on seven occasions. His coaching has led to a pair of Pitcher of the Year awards in the Big 12, one in the SEC, three in a row in the ACC and one in the Atlantic Sun. Under his tutelage, four of his pitchers have been named 1st Team All-Americans while four were named to the USA National Team.
“I’m excited to join Coach Mundell’s softball program and be a part of University of Evansville athletics,” Gillis said. “I look forward to coaching in the MVC and competing for championships.”
In 2024, Gillis was the Director of Pitching Development at Liberty University. The Flames were both the Conference USA regular season and tournament champions. Liberty opened the NCAA Championship with wins over #25 Charlotte and #11 Georgia.
From 2019-2023, Gillis was the Head Pitching and Assistant Coach at Virginia Tech. His work with the Hokie pitching staff resulted in three ACC Pitcher of the Year awards, two 1st Team All-American honors, and a staff that led the nation in strikeouts in 2022. As a team, Virginia Tech won the ACC Championship in 2019 and 2022 while advancing to the NCAA Super Regionals in 2021 and 2022.
Prior to joining the Hokies staff, Gillis was the Head Pitching and Assistant Coach at Kennesaw State where he oversaw the development of the 2018 Atlantic Sun Pitcher of the Year. That season saw the Owls win the conference championship on the way to the first NCAA Regional appearance in program history. His pitching staff led the ASUN in strikeouts, having 70 more than any other squad.
From 2009-2016, he was on the staff at the University of Missouri as they transitioned from the Big 12 to the SEC. Gillis was the Director of Pitching from 2009-14 and was elevated to Head Pitching Coach from 2015-16. Over the course of his first six seasons with the Tigers, three of his pitchers garnered 1st Team All-American accolades. Mizzou made three appearances in the Women’s College World Series, six trips to the NCAA Super Regionals and won six NCAA Regional Championships.
He coached the 2011 Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, 2013 SEC Pitcher of the Year, and the 2014 SEC Freshman Pitcher of the Year. Following his promotion to Head Pitching Coach, the Tigers won their respective NCAA Regional Championship in both seasons and advanced to the Super Regionals. He worked with an All-SEC pitcher and another who made the USA National Team.
In a playing career that spanned over three decades, Gillis was a 6-time member of Team USA while earning six USA Softball Major Level All-American awards. His teams won the gold medal at the 2002 Pan-American Championships and the 1999 U.S. Olympic Festival. Gillis is a 2-time USA Softball Major Level National Champion.
