Hall Joins Softball Staff as Assistant Coach
Image and release from Pittsburgh Athletics Communications
PITTSBURGH – University of Pittsburgh head softball coach Jodi Hermanek announced Monday the hiring of Jenna Hall as an assistant coach on the softball staff.
Hall’s addition rounds out the 2020 softball staff, following the recent additions of Katie Sebbane as volunteer assistant coach and Michelle Huber as director of operations. Hall will work with both the offense and defense while at Pitt, with a focus on offense and hitting.
“With this remarkable hire, all components are now in place, completing my vision for an outstanding staff that I couldn’t be more proud of,” said Hermanek. “Jenna is one of the strongest offensive coaches in our game, and Pitt softball is excited to have her on board. She is highly respected in the game of softball for her dedication to our sport and its student-athletes.
“Jenna is an extraordinary teacher of the game, and with the success that she has compiled in the Big Ten, I cannot wait to see what’s in store for her time with the Panthers.”
Hall joins Pitt after spending the past seven seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio State University, where she helped coach the Buckeyes to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2016 to 2019, which marked a program first.
During her time at Ohio State, Hall helped guide two players to professional careers in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league in Emily Clark and Lilli Piper, both of whom earned All-American honors during their time with the Buckeyes.
Hall also coached Cammi Prantl to All-American recognition following a 2016 campaign that saw her break single-season program records in both hits and doubles.
In 2015, Hall led the Buckeyes to one of their top offensive seasons in program history, as the team set single-season school records in batting average (.348), home runs (74) and runs scored (380). In that same season, Hall coached four players that finished the season with 40 or more RBI, which marked a program first.
“I’m extremely excited to join the staff here at the University of Pittsburgh,” said Hall. “I want to thank Jodi, Director of Athletics Heather Lyke and Associate Athletic Director Jennifer Tuscano for this amazing opportunity. After speaking with multiple staff members during my interview process, it was apparent that the vision for this department is in line with everything I believe in as a coach and a person.
“I am very much looking forward to working alongside Coach Herm again. Her loyalty to and belief in her staff and student-athletes is second to none.”
Prior to her time with the Buckeyes, Hall gained experience working with Hermanek while on Ohio’s softball staff from 2008 to 2012. Hall joined the Bobcats’ staff as an assistant coach before being promoted to the role of associate head coach in 2011.
Hall found great success while working with Ohio’s offense, with the 2012 team setting single-season program records in home runs (47), RBI (255) and runs scored (293) in her final year with the team. During that 2012 season, Hall helped coach Lauren Gellermann to First Team All-MAC and All-Region honors, while also guiding current assistant coach Jillian Van Wagnen to Second Team All-MAC recognition.
The season prior, she helped lead the 2011 Bobcat offense to a then-program record 35 home runs, with the team also placing third in school history with 190 RBI.
While still in an assistant role during the 2009 season, Hall worked with an Ohio offense that finished the year ranked top-10 in single-season program history for batting average (fourth), home runs (fourth), triples (tied fourth), doubles (tied fifth), runs (eighth), RBI (ninth) and hits (10th). She guided Alexis Joseph to All-Region honors in that same season, while also coaching Courtney Waters to All-Region recognition in the team’s 2008 campaign.
Hall began her coaching career in 2007 as a student assistant on Illinois’ staff following a standout career with the Fighting Illini from 2003 to 2006. She closed out her playing career at Illinois with multiple marks in the program record book, finishing out as the all-time leader in batting average (.357), on-base percentage (.486), slugging percentage (.580), home runs (33), RBI (142), walks (148) and total bases (361). Hall also set the single-season batting average program record in 2006, recording a .481 average as a senior. She also made her mark in the NCAA Division I record book, finishing her career ranked sixth all-time in intentional walks (26), while also ranking ninth in single-season intentional walks (26) and 15th in total career walks (148).
Hall was a four-time All-Big Ten and three-time All-Region honoree at Illinois, while also being voted a NFCA First Team All-American and one of 25 finalists for USA Softball Player of the Year as a senior.
She also played three seasons for the Philadelphia Force of the NPF following the conclusion of her collegiate playing career, and was selected to the NPF All-Star Team in her first year with the Force.
A Channahon, Ill., native, Hall earned a bachelor’s degree in History Education from Illinois University in 2007. She and her wife, Christina, have three children: Elijah, Jonah and Olivia
