JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After helping lead the Dolphin softball team to one of its most successful seasons in years, assistant coach Holli Mitchell has been promoted.

Mitchell now takes over as the associate head coach while still maintaining her role as the team's pitching coach. Last season, Mitchell helped coach Jacy Harrelson to ASUN Pitcher of the Year honors as well as an NFCA All-Region nod while helping guide the 'Phins to a 34-21 record, the most wins in a season under head coach Erica Ayers.

The 2026 season was transformative for JU softball, as it saw seven total All-ASUN postseason honors, two All-Tournament honors including Harrelson and two NFCA All-Region honors. The Dolphins also came just one game shy of the ASUN Tournament Championship after a 16-8 regular season ASUN record and two wins in the Tournament itself.

Mitchell's guidance over the pitching staff last season was masterful. With an injury suffered to incumbent starter Jordan White, Mitchell helped Harrelson assume the role of the team's number one starter. That paid off when the Dolphins rattled off a 17-4 record in ASUN games that Harrelson appeared in.

But it wasn't just Harrelson. Mitchell also saw great usage out of freshman Margaret "Chic" Jenkins who appeared in 17 games in the circle during her freshman season. Jenkins also threw in two games during Jacksonville's time in the ASUN Tournament, striking out 12 batters across the season including four in her first ASUN action against West Georgia.

Junior pitcher Reese Wells also pitched in more innings than ever before under Mitchell, setting a new career high in strikeouts with 33. She also tied her career-high in complete games with two, allowing the second lowest opposing batting average of her career.

Fellow junior pitcher Delcie Swift also saw her first collegiate action under Mitchell, appearing in four games including two ASUN contests against UNF and against the University of Florida.

Mitchell, alongside newly hired assistant coach Sydney Benz, round out the Dolphin coaching staff for the 2027 season. With Mitchell ready to take on an increased role with the program, the sky is the limit for the 'Phins in Mitchell's eyes ahead of her second season in Duval County.