It’s official. 

Jenna Hall just met with her team this morning 8:30 EST at Ohio Univ. and let them know that she got the Illinois head coaching job.

And just now, the Big Ten school just announced the hiring on its softball webpage… here’s the entirety of the release…

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– University of Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman announced on Tuesday the hiring of Jenna Hall as the third head coach in Illinois Softball history. 

A former Fighting Illini All-American and member of the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame, Hall returns to Champaign after four years as head coach at Ohio University.

Here’s her Hall of Fame induction:

Hall has agreed to a five-year contract, pending approval by the UI Board of Trustees at its July meeting.

“We are thrilled to welcome Fighting Illini Hall of Famer Jenna Hall back to Illinois as the new head coach of our softball program,” Whitman said.

“Not only is Jenna among the great players in our program’s history, but she has established herself as one of the country’s up-and-coming head coaches. With assistant coaching experience in the Big Ten and the ACC, and now success as a head coach in the Mid-American Conference, Jenna is well prepared to lead the program at her alma mater.”

I am excited to see the impact Jenna will have on our student-athletes and the bright future of Fighting Illini Softball. Please join me in welcoming Jenna and her family back to the Orange & Blue!”

Hall led the Bobcats to 30+ win seasons in each of her four years in Athens and twice was selected as Mid-American Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year, posting a combined mark of 138-86 (.616) overall, and 73-35 (.676) in MAC play.

Hall was selected MAC Coach of the Year in her first campaign in 2023, as the Bobcats finished in second place, one game back of the title. In 2025, she again won the award behind Ohio’s third straight runner-up finish while also advancing to the MAC Tournament championship game. This past season, Ohio won 38 games, its most since 2018.

Hall has a total of 20 years’ coaching experience since her remarkable playing career as a Fighting Illini. Prior to her first head job at Ohio, she spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Pitt from 2020-22.

That followed seven seasons assisting at Ohio State from 2013-19, where the Buckeyes made four consecutive NCAA Regional appearances. Her first stint in Athens was a five-season term as an assistant from 2008-12, where she was elevated to associate head coach.

Her coaching debut began in Champaign, where she was a student assistant during the 2007 season while finishing her degree.

“I want to thank Josh Whitman, Sara Burton, and the University of Illinois for trusting in me to lead this softball program,” Hall said.

“Illinois has meant the world to me since I stepped foot on campus as a freshman. To be able to return to the place that started it all is a dream come true. I have always been extremely proud to be an Illini, and I can’t wait to wear the orange and blue once again.”

A native of Minooka, Hall starred for Illinois from 2003-06 and remains one of the most accomplished offensive players in Fighting Illini history.

She finished her career as the school record holder for best career (.357) and single-season (.481) batting average, slugging percentage (.580), on-base percentage (.486), home runs (33), RBI (142), total bases (361) and walks (148).

She was named first-team All-Big Ten four times and All-Region three times. She helped Illinois to two NCAA postseason appearances, including a trip to the Regional championship game in 2004.

Her career accomplishments were recognized when she became the first Fighting Illini softball player to be enshrined in the University of Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame, which she joined in 2019.

As a senior in 2006, she was a first-team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and was a finalist for the USA Softball Player of the Year Award.

She led the nation in walks, while ranking second in batting (.481) and fourth in slugging percentage (.847). She still holds the UI single-season batting average record at .481 set in 2006.

Following her collegiate career, Hall played professionally for three seasons with the Philadelphia Force and was selected to the National Pro Fastpitch League All-Star Team in her first season.

Hall graduated from the University of Illinois in 2007 with a degree in U.S. history. Jenna and her wife, Cristina, have three children: Elijah, Jonah and Olivia.