CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Head coach Tyra Perry and the Illinois softball program have announced the hiring of Lance McMahon as the newest assistant coach for the Fighting Illini softball coaching staff. McMahon will serve as the pitching and catching coach for the Illini. 

"Lance is one of the up and coming coaches in softball," said Perry. "He is a true student of the game. He has been mentored by some of the top coaches in the sport and has worked with collegiate softball teams that consistently compete at the NCAA Tournament level. He is a men's fastpitch pitcher and will use that knowledge and expertise to enhance Illinois pitchers as well as our hitters."

"I am very excited to become part of the University of Illinois softball family," said McMahon. "Illinois softball has great tradition and I cannot wait to compete in the Big Ten. I want to thank Head Coach Tyra Perry for this opportunity and look forward to the exciting future of Illini softball."

McMahon joins the Illini following a three-year stint with the LSU softball program, where he worked under the tutelage of head coach Beth Torina.

"I would like to congratulate Lance on his new position at Illinois and commend Coach Perry for a great hire," said Torina of the appointment. "Lance is one of our game's true up and coming coaches. He is a great pitching mind and brings a wealth of knowledge that will make an immediate impact on the Illinois softball program. He is creative, extremely passionate, and he brings experience from several top programs and the Women's College World Series. Any program would be lucky to have him. He has worked hard for this opportunity and I know he will be a huge success."

While in Baton Rouge, McMahon assisted in almost every aspect of the program, including camps, analyzing video, assisting with practice and throwing batting practice daily and was also responsible for logistics during travel. As a Tiger, McMahon was involved in back-to-back NCAA Regional Softball Championships and two trips to the Women's College World Series.

Prior to joining the Tigers in January of 2014, McMahon served as the pitching coach for the Wichita Mustangs Softball Organization, where he managed the pitching staff throughout the summer competition and developed workouts to maximize performance.

McMahon graduated with a degree in sport management from Missouri in December 2013, where he served as a student manager and batting practice pitcher for three years. While at Mizzou, he was a part of one Big 12 championship squad, back-to-back NCAA Regional Softball Championships and one trip to WCWS.

Along with his collegiate experience, McMahon also spent time as a volunteer assistant coach for the Knox County high school softball team from 2010 to 2014.

McMahon, who most recently earned a masters degree in kinesiology from LSU in May of 2016, replaces Kassie Stanfill, who accepted a pitching coach position at her alma mater Louisville.

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