Softball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
Yolanda McRae joined the Illinois softball staff in June 2026 as an assistant coach.
"I could not be more excited to have Yolanda joining our coaching staff," said head coach Jenna Hall.
"As a coach, she has worked at the highest level with some of the best hitters in the game. Her proven track record of developing elite hitters is undeniable. The energy and passion she has for softball is infectious and I have no doubt our student-athletes will grow under her leadership. She aligns with every part of our mission to help these young women become the absolute best version of themselves, both on and off the field."
McRae brings multiple decades of experience both playing and coaching at the Power Four level. Most recently, she served as an assistant for six seasons at Arkansas (2015-21). While with the Razorbacks, McRae was part of the coaching staff that captured NFCA South Region Staff of the Year honors in 2021, on the heels of the first SEC regular-season title in program history. She served as the program’s hitting coach and oversaw one of the most powerful offenses in Arkansas history, as they set new program single-season records in home runs (95) and slugging percentage (.505). Under her tutelage, infielders Braxton Burnside and Danielle Gibson were both named NFCA All-Americans.
Under McRae’s leadership, the 2019 Arkansas offense finished with a .288 batting average, second-best in program history. During the campaign, McRae guided outfielder Hannah McEwen, who recorded a .386 average at the plate, the best single-season mark ever by a Razorback. McEwen was just the second Arkansas player to garner first team All-SEC honors, and one of three to garner All-SEC recognition in back-to-back seasons.
Prior to her time at Arkansas, McRae had coaching stints at Georgia (2006, 2014), Georgia Tech (2007-09), Maryland (2010-11, 2015), and Virginia (2012-13). In seven of those ten seasons as an assistant her teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament, including two Super Regional appearances, one at Georgia and one at Georgia Tech. At each stop McRae has led increased offensive production, including a national-best 96 home runs for the Yellow Jackets in 2007, and a 40-point batting average improvement for the Terrapins in 2015.
“I’m floored by this opportunity,” shared McRae. “I can’t thank Coach Hall, Josh Whitman, Sara Burton, and Ryan Squire enough for trusting me to take on this role.”
McRae played for two seasons at Georgia State (2002-03) before transferring to Georgia for the final two years of her collegiate career (2003-04). In 2003, she was part of Georgia’s first-ever SEC regular-season title. A native of Dublin, Georgia, McRae graduated from Georgia in 2004 with her degree in kinesiology.
