Madi McCrady Joins Illinois Softball Staff as Director of Player Development
June 20, 2026 | Softball
NEWS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois head softball coach Jenna Hall has added Madi McCrady to her staff as Director of Player Development. McCrady joins the Fighting Illini after spending the last two seasons under Hall as an assistant coach at Ohio.
"Madi is a fantastic addition to our staff," said Hall.
"Her character and love for the game are apparent from the first time you talk to her. I can't wait to see the impact she has on our players and program as a whole."
During McCrady's two seasons at Ohio, the Bobcats went 75-39 overall, and four student-athletes earned NFCA All-Region honors. 16 athletes were tabbed Academic All-MAC during her time with the program, and in 2026 the squad set a new program single-season home run record.
Prior to her stint at Ohio, McCrady spent the 2024 season as an assistant coach at Capital University in Bexley, Ohio. At Capital, she developed individualized coaching scripts to improve pitching, fielding, and hitting mechanics, and conducted opponent scouting reports. McCrady also supported recruitment efforts, including coordinating visits and evaluating prospects.
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to join the Illinois Softball staff," shared McCrady.
"I look forward to working with our student-athletes and talented coaching staff, to help continue the tradition of excellence that makes Illinois Softball so special."
As a student-athlete at Ohio from 2018-21, McCrady made 101 appearances in the circle with 86 starts, tallying 49 complete games and 500 innings pitched. A two-time Academic All-MAC selection, she finished her career fourth in program history with 429 strikeouts, and fifth all-time in both wins (45) and starts (86).
McCrady was part of the 2018 Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular season and tournament champion Ohio team that advanced to the NCAA Knoxville Regional. In Knoxville, McCrady was the starting pitcher in Ohio's elimination game against James Madison and threw four innings with no runs in the win that advanced Ohio to the regional final.
A native of Brimfield, Ohio, McCrady graduated from Ohio in 2021 with her bachelor's degree in early childhood education, master's degree in reading education and a minor in coaching.
