Kristen Drage begins her first season as the volunteer assistant coach with the Fighting Illini softball program after joining the staff in September 2019. 

"I have known Kristen for several years now and I am pleased to have her join our program," said Perry. "She brings a wealth of experience from her work at many different levels. She is a person of character and I am excited to welcome her aboard."

Drage most recently served as head coach at William Jessup University, an NAIA school in California, where she led the Warriors to a 19-win season and an appearance in the Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament, while also having two student-athletes selected to the NFCA All-Region Team.

"I am extremely thankful and excited to be joining the University of Illinois family," said Drage. "Being a part of a program and coaching staff that is committed to delivering excellence is truly a blessing. I cannot wait to continue building on the tradition and success of Illini softball."

Before being named head coach at WJU, Drage was an assistant coach at Northern Colorado for the 2018 campaign. Drage's contributions were immediately felt as she helped UNC earn a .500 record which was even more impressive after the program's low point in 2016 when the team went just 9-33. The 2018 Northern Colorado team's 28-28 record was also the program's best since moving to Division I.

A 2012 graduate of Missouri S&T, Drage majored in Civil Engineering while competing as a four-year student-athlete on the softball team where she was named an All-American pitcher for the NCAA Div. III Miners.

She continued her education earning her graduate degree in sports management from Missouri Baptist in 2014, where she also served as a graduate assistant for the softball program from 2012-2014. During her two seasons there, MBU went 46-44 winning over 20 games in each season.

Drage's first experience as a head coach came at Central Baptist College where she spent two seasons helping the Mustangs earn a 31-31 overall record in her first season. During her tenure, the squad finished 52-61 overall and a 24-23 record in conference play.

Drage has thrived at every stop she's made, producing at least one first-team all-conference player every season. A native of Morganfield, Kentucky, Drage is an active member of the National Fastpitch Coaching Association.