Fighting Illini soccer head coach Katie Hultin announced the addition of Aulani Whisler to the staff as an assistant coach on Jan. 1, 2025. Whisler will primarily work with the team's defenders.

Whisler comes to Illinois after also serving in the same role under Hultin at Grand Valley State University in 2024, where the Lakers conceded just nine goals in 24 matches en route to an NCAA DII Midwest Regional title.

"I'm honored and excited to be joining Illinois soccer," Whisler said. "I would like to thank coach Hultin for the opportunity to continue coaching alongside her. I cannot wait to get started with our student-athletes and pour into all aspects of our program!"

Whisler spent 2023 as an assistant coach at Illinois State following a highly successful one-year stint as interim head coach at Chicago State in 2022, where she guided the Cougars to the most wins in program history.

Prior to joining the Division I ranks, Whisler spent time as an assistant coach at Stanislaus State and at her alma-mater Cal State East Bay, where she appeared in 69 matches across her four-year playing career from 2015 to 2018.

In October of 2021, Whisler was selected to the 2021-22 class of the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under Program, a year-long education and mentorship opportunity designed to support up-and-coming members of the coaching profession who are 30 years of age or younger.

Whisler graduated from Cal State East Bay in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in biology.