Vanessa Wilson joined the Anderson University softball coaching staff in December 2025 under head coach Kelly Roberts. She enters her first full academic year with the Trojans after beginning her tenure with the program in the spring of 2026.
“I am excited to welcome Vanessa Wilson to our coaching staff,” said Roberts. “Her experience competing in the SAC gives her a deep understanding of the preparation and competitiveness required at this level.”
During her first season with the Black and Gold, Wilson primarily worked with the Trojans’ outfielders and hitters while helping guide Anderson to a historic 38-15 overall record and a 17-5 mark in South Atlantic Conference play. The Trojans finished as SAC runners-up and earned a bid to the 2026 NCAA Regional Tournament. Anderson also made history at home, posting a 20-1 record on its home field.
Wilson helped lead a significant offensive improvement in her first season as the Trojans’ hitting coach. Anderson improved its team batting average from .308 in 2025 to .333 in 2026, while its OPS increased from .851 to .925. The Trojans also improved their doubles from 77 to 110, RBI from 265 to 326, slugging percentage from .457 to .505, walks from 170 to 203 and on-base percentage from .394 to .420. Anderson ranked 22nd in Division II in team batting average (.333), third in doubles per game (2.08), 14th in on-base percentage (.420) and 15th in RBI per game (6.13).
Under Wilson's guidance, Anderson produced SAC Player of the Year Carson Hobbs and All-Conference outfielder Shelby Bandt. Hobbs batted .421, led the nation with 28 doubles and ranked 11th nationally with 70 RBI.
Wilson came to Anderson from Auburn University at Montgomery, where she served as a Graduate Assistant for Athletic Administration while completing her master's degree in December 2025.
A four-year outfielder at Newberry College from 2020-24, Wilson primarily played center field and right field, starting 155 of the 164 games she played during her career. She finished her Newberry career ranked eighth all-time in home runs (19), eighth in RBI (110), 10th in runs scored (106) and fifth in walks (52).
Wilson enjoyed a standout senior season in 2024, ranking among the SAC's top 20 in batting average and earning Third Team All-SAC honors. She led Newberry in RBI, doubles, triples, total bases and home runs while ranking second on the team in hits. She also finished among the SAC's top 10 in home runs and RBI.
During her playing career at Newberry, Wilson was a two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree and was inducted into the Bachman Honor Society, which recognizes the top eight percent of Newberry College's graduating class. She was also a two-time Student Teacher of the Year honoree and served as a commencement speaker.
Wilson earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Newberry College in 2024 before earning her master's degree from Auburn University at Montgomery in December 2025.
