After serving the past two months as interim softball coach, Kelsey Gillen has officially been named McCook Community College’s next head softball coach.
“We are excited to be able to hire Kelsey full time as our new softball coach as well as Student Success Coach here on campus,” said MCC Athletic Director Jon Olsen.
Kelsey Gillen is an MCC alum, former Lady Indian softball player and was assistant coach for the 2025-26 squad. She was named interim coach in August after former coach Mike Mendenhall left McCook in July to head the softball program at Paris Junior College in Texas.
“As interim head coach Kelsey has done a great job with our softball program this fall,” said Olsen. “She really hit the ground running, working hard to find a fall schedule and taking care of all of the on-field things needed, and most importantly, providing structure and direction for our softball athletes.”
Gillen has been coaching softball for 13 years at a variety of levels, starting with an 8U travel softball team and staying with that same group all the way through 18U. She has spent eight years as a high school assistant coach and continues to coach summer travel softball.
“I’m incredibly grateful and excited for the opportunity to lead the MCC softball program,” said Gillen.
She played competitive softball from 8U through college, earning All-State and All-Conference honors in high school. At MCC she was named First Team All-Region IX and became the program’s all-time single-season home run record holder (17) as a sophomore in 2013. (That record was eclipsed by Taryn Jenkins who hit 20 in 2021, and by current record-holder Ashland Baca who hit 23 in 2022).
IN GILLEN’S FIRST YEAR as MCC Assistant Coach, the 2026 Lady Indians went 54-8 record – the most wins ever for any team since the program began in 2001. Also, for the second-straight year, MCC went into the 20-team national tournament, seeded 16th and both years, MCC was able to finish in the top 12 knocking off three higher seeds last year in Yuma, Ariz and two this year in Oxford, Ala.
Gillen said that having been a former player and now a coach at MCC, the program holds a special place in her heart.
“We’ve built a strong foundation of success over the past few years, and my goal is to continue building on that tradition,” she said. “I want to create a culture where our athletes are held to high standards, work hard, compete every day, and grow not only as softball players but as individuals.”
She said that stepping into the head coaching role has been an exciting transition, and she’s proud of how the girls responded.
“We have a great group of athletes who have really started to come together as a team,” Gillen said. The coach added that she’s been really pleased with how the fall season has gone.
“We’ve had the opportunity to compete against some tough competition which has given us a chance to see where we are as a team,” she said. “We have a strong tradition of success here at MCC, and I want to continue building on that foundation. Our goal is to continue competing at a high level and make another trip to the College World Series.”
IN ADDITION TO COACHING DUTIES at MCC, Gillen will also work as a Success Coach in the Learning Commons in von Riesen Library.
“I am excited to have Kelsey join the Learning Commons team. Her passion for our students and commitment to helping them succeed makes her a perfect fit,” said Katie Wheeler,
Director of Library Resources at Mid-Plains Community College.
Gillen said that being a former student athlete at MCC, she understands how important it is to have a strong support system throughout college.
“I’m passionate about building relationships with students, helping them overcome challenges, and providing the
encouragement and resources they need to be successful,” she said. “And I’m really excited for the opportunity to take on the role of student success coach.”
“Kelsey has already shown a deep commitment to the success of our students. I have no doubt she will excel at reaching students and encouraging their growth,” said Wheeler.
“We are excited she is coming to campus full time in both roles and look forward to watching Kelsey as she leads our softball program into the future,” said Olsen.
Gillen said that her expectations go beyond the softball field.
“I want our athletes to take pride in their academics, hold themselves to high standards, and grow as individuals,” she said.
The coach said she is excited for what’s ahead both on campus and on the softball field.
“I look forward to continuing to build relationships with these girls while pushing this program to new heights,” she said.
Up-to-date information about MCC softball including up-to-date schedule and changes, livestream links for home games, rosters, photos, statistics and more can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com
