Jillian Van Wagnen - Softball Coach

Jillian Van Wagnen

Title:
Assistant Coach
Alma Mater:
Ohio University, '12
Email:
jvanwag@athletics.pitt.edu
Season at Pitt:
Third

Jillian Van Wagnen joined the University of Pittsburgh softball staff Aug. 21, 2018 and enters her third season as an assistant coach at Pitt.

Career Coaching Highlights and Awards

Helped Ohio University softball record most wins in program history (42) in 2017
Led Bobcats to earn highest RPI in program history in 2017
Coached two Second-Team All-ACC Players in 2019
Helped Ohio win the MAC East conference championship in 2017
Led Bobcats to back-to-back MAC championships finals in 2016 and 2017
Coached two Second-Team All-MAC Players and a MAC All-Freshmen player in 2016
Coached a Second-Team All-Mac and a MAC All-Freshmen Player in 2017

University of Pittsburgh | Assistant Coach | 2018-Present

Oversaw a defense that turned 12 double plays in 2020 before the season ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Coached a defense that turned an ACC best 25 double plays and finished with a .956 fielding percentage in 2019
Saw Gabrielle Fredericks record a .994 fielding percentage and turn a team-best 16 double plays in 2019
Coached two Second Team All-ACC Players in 2019

Ohio University | Assistant Coach | 2014-2018

Returned to her alma mater in 2014 as a second assistant
Helped the Bobcats improve in runs, hits, triples, RBIs, slugging percentage and on-base percentage in 2014-15
Led the recruiting efforts for Ohio softball when she became the recruiting coordinator in Sept. 2015
Coached two Second-Team All-MAC players and a MAC All-Freshman player in 2016
Coached a Second-Team All-MAC and a MAC All-Freshman player in 2017
Helped the team earn the most wins in a season (42) and the highest RPI in program history in 2017
Helped the Bobcats win the MAC East Conference Championship in 2017 and compete in back-to-back MAC championship finals in 2016 and 2017
Coached outfielders, slappers, baserunners and assisted with infield and hitting in 2017-18 seasons
Coached back-to-back 40 win seasons in 2017 and 2018
Helped Ohio reach the NCAA Tournament in 2018
Helped Ohio win the 2018 MAC Regular Season Championship and claim back-to-back MAC East Division Titles (2017, 2018)
Guided multiple players to All-MAC honors and well as MAC All-Freshman accolades
Part of NFCA Division I Mideast Regional Coaching Staff of the Year in 2018

Newman University | Assistant Coach | 2012-2013

After graduating from Ohio, Van Wagnen worked as an assistant coach for the Newman University softball team
Focused on outfielders, slap hitting and base stealing
Coached a First Team All-South Central Region player and a Second Team All-Heartland Conference player in 2012

Playing Career | Ohio University | 2008-2012

Spent four years as a walk-on for the Ohio softball squad, but eventually was awarded a full-scholarship
Named captain and defensive player of the year her senior year by her teammates
Started all 57 games in her senior season with 75 putouts, five assists and no errors with a 1.000 fielding percentage in center field
Starting outfielder in 161 games from 2009-2012
Holds a .308 career batting average with 118 hits and 75 runs scored
Tallied 69 stolen bases, third all-time in school history
Part of Ohio’s MAC East Conference Championship in 2011
Nominated as Ohio’s representative for the 2012 NCAA National Woman of the Year
Nominated for Ohio University’s 2012 Woman of the Year
An academic All-MAC, All-MAC second team, 2012 All-Tournament team and two-time “Wendy Fox Award” winner

Education

Earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in 2012 from Ohio University
In 2016, she completed her master’s degree in Recreation and Sports Sciences: Coaching Education from Ohio University

Personal