Softball | 6/19/2026 11:20:00 AM

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has named Chelsea Holliday as the new head coach of its softball program.

"We are pleased to welcome Chelsea Holliday as the new head softball coach at UMES," said Vice President of Athletics Tara A. Owens. "Coach Holliday has achieved tremendous success in the sport as both a student-athlete and coach. Her proven ability to build and lead programs, combined with her passion for and knowledge of the game, make her an outstanding choice to lead our softball program. Under Coach Holliday's guidance, we are confident that Hawk softball will thrive on and off the field while providing our student-athletes with an exceptional collegiate experience and the opportunity to proudly represent UMES."

Holliday brings extensive experience in developing award-winning student-athletes, building competitive programs, and leading with professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to student success. Her coaching career includes stops at Bluefield State University, Minot State University, Grambling State University, Mississippi State University, and Saint Mary's School in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Holliday spent the last three seasons as the head coach at Bluefield State where she elevated the program to the winningest season in school history, guided the team to an undefeated home record in 2026, and helped raise the program's cumulative GPA to 3.2. Her efforts earned her CIAA Softball Coach of the Year honors in 2026. During that same season, she coached Paige Whittington to NFCA First Team All-Atlantic Region recognition.

Under Holliday's leadership, Bluefield State produced nine All-CIAA selections in 2026, including Whittington as the CIAA Player of the Year, two First Team All-CIAA honorees, three Second Team selections, and four All-Rookie Team members. She also developed the 2025 CIAA Rookie of the Year, Mikaylah Chimara, along with another All-CIAA Rookie Team selection. In 2025, Holliday coached two First Team All-CIAA performers, and in 2024, she mentored three All-CIAA recipients across the First Team, Second Team and All-Rookie Team categories.

Prior to Bluefield State, Holliday served as an assistant coach at Minot State University, where she helped guide five student-athletes to CSC Academic All-District honors in 2023. She also assisted the Beavers in improving a 16-12 conference record and a 30-23 overall mark.

Holliday spent four seasons at Grambling State University from 2019 to 2022, specializing in defensive instruction and player development for catchers and outfielders. During her tenure, the Tigers earned Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament appearances in both 2021 and 2022.

A former collegiate student-athlete, Holliday earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Shaw University and completed her master's degree in Sports Management from Grambling State in 2020.

Over the past several years, Holliday has contributed to player development initiatives with MLB Develops and USA Softball through the Elite Development Invitational and the Breakthrough Series. She has worked alongside distinguished coaching staff composed of Olympians, NCAA National Champions, AUSL professional athletes and Coaches of the Year, helping provide premier development experiences for elite athletes from across the country. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Holliday served as vice president of the CIAA Softball Coaches Association from 2025 to 2026 and was a voting member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Head Coaches Board.

"I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to President Heidi M. Anderson and Vice President Tara A. Owens and the entire UMES community for their confidence in me and for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading our student-athletes. Their vision, support, and commitment to the success of UMES has made this opportunity especially meaningful," said Holliday. "I look forward to building a culture of excellence, developing young women both on and off the field, and competing at the highest level while representing the Hawk family with pride. I am excited to get to work and help elevate UMES softball to new heights."

Holliday takes over a UMES softball program that finished the 2026 season with a 15-33 overall record and a 5-16 mark in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play.
 
ABOUT HAWK ATHLETICS

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore sponsors an NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program. The University currently fields teams in 15 sports: women's and men's volleyball, women's bowling, women's and men's golf, women's and men's cross country, women's and men's basketball, women's and men's indoor track & field, women's and men's outdoor track & field, softball, and baseball.
 
The UMES women's volleyball, bowling, basketball, softball, track & field, and cross country programs compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). UMES golf, baseball, and men's volleyball compete as members of the Northeast Conference (NEC). In June, UMES also announced the addition of women's flag football which will compete in the MEAC beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.