Assistant Coach Marco Aragon Named National Assistant Coach of the Year!

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nine member coaches were honored as the NFCA revealed its collegiate recipients of the 2026 Easton/NFCA Assistant Coach of the Year award, the Association announced on Thursday afternoon.

Garnering honors this year are Pattie Ruth Taylor (University of Texas / DI), Avery Sanders (Arkansas Tech University / DII),  Kelsey Aikey (Simpson College / DIII), Dan Bressler (Madonna University / NAIA), Courtnay Foster (Northeast Alabama Community College / NJCAA DI), Saige Vandiver (Murray State College / NJCAA DII), Holly Frampton (Corning Community College / NJCAA DIII), Marco Aragon (Feather River College / Cal JC) and Taylor Gould (Mt. Hood Community College / NWAC).

These awards recognize the efforts of coaches from the various NFCA membership categories for their tireless dedication to the sport of softball and to the continued education, growth and development of young women, both on and off the playing field. The winners will be recognized on Dec. 12 during the NFCA Convention's Awards Brunch in Atlantic City, N.J.

The winners were nominated by NFCA member coaches and voted for by a panel of their peers on the NFCA Awards Committee.

Assistant Coach of the Year Archives

Taylor has played a pivotal role since joining the Longhorns' coaching staff in 2024, overseeing all aspects of the day-to-day responsibilities for the pitching staff, which includes planning and instructing all bullpens, while calling pitches and managing the staff on game days. She spearheaded the development of a highly-accomplished Texas pitching staff that includes back-to-back Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player in Teagan Kavan, the first player in history to earn consecutive MOPs. Additionally, Taylor coached three Longhorn pitchers to All-SEC honors and shepherded a staff that posted the lowest ERA (1.71) at the 2026 WCWS, the only program with a sub-2.00 ERA.

Sanders, who joined the program last season, jumped right in as the program's pitching coach and her positive impact on the staff was evident throughout the year. Arkansas Tech pitchers, who were all selected first-team all-conference, saw their team ERA (2.01) drop over a full run from a season ago, which ranked fifth in NCAA Division II. The also made an impact on the team's overall success as they posted a 42-14 (27-28 in 2025) mark and captured the Great American Conference (GAC) regular season title. According to head coach Jordon Jones, Sanders, who also planned the team's travel, is consistent and selfless and was the missing piece to their coaching staff.

Aikey has been a key cog in Simpson's runs to consecutive NCAA Regional finals the past two seasons, which culminated in a 2026 NCAA DIII Super Regional title, a national semifinal appearance at the NCAA DIII World Series and a 41-8 record. Serving as the program's associate head coach, Aikey is the program's defensive coordinator and works with the pitching staff, along with taking care of all operational duties. Aikey oversaw a pitching staff that posted an American Rivers Conference league-best 2.66 ERA and earned Marina Cronin NFCA All-Region honors and Emma LaFave first-team all-conference.

A long-time softball coaching veteran, Bressler has been a consistent voice in Madonna's dugout the last four seasons and played a key role in the program's run to a 52-4 overall record and a 2026 NAIA National Championship. Lending a hand in pitching, hitting, defense and recruiting, Bressler, according to head coach Ron Pezzoni, expects excellence and is very demanding but has a great presentation and is well liked amongst the student-athletes and his peers. In addition to the national title, he has helped the Crusaders win four Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference championships and make two World Series appearances.

Foster, who had a handle in all aspects of the program, was the program's pitching coach and oversaw a staff that posted an NJCAA DI-best 1.93 ERA and was instrumental in NACC's national title in just the program's second year of competition. She worked with Portolite/NFCA NJCAA DI Pitcher of the Year Addie Edwards, who was undefeated in 2026 (34-0) with a 1.12 ERA and 219 strikeouts. On top of that, Foster was also responsible for travel, equipment and the budget and served as the academic advisor for all of NACC's student-athletes.

Vandiver has been an integral part of Murray State's success both on and off the field since her arrival in the fall of 2023, which includes two third-place national finishes and 118 wins. Her impact on the offense has been instrumental, as the Aggies have led NJCAA DII in home runs and runs scored the last three seasons in addition to leading in several other offensive categories over her tenure. Vandiver handles all outfield defensive coaching and slappers on the offensive side, while also serving as the director of operations and the social media coordinator. Additionally, she oversees the live streaming and inputting of statistics and is the assistant director of student housing. Head coach Aaron Mullens states that Vandiver is loyal, trustworthy and has a tremendous work ethic. Her impact is felt not only on the field, but also across campus and the community of Tishomingo.

Frampton has been an instrumental part of the coaching staff over the past several years working with the outfielders, hitting and serving as the first base coach. During her time with the Red Barons, Corning CC has won five of the past six Region III and district crowns and qualified for the NJCAA DIII Softball World Series in five of the last six seasons. Frampton has solidified the CCC defense by developing outstanding skills and decision making for the outfielders, seeing the outfield play get stronger since she rejoined her alma mater. She does all this while balancing a career as a cardiovascular rehab nurse, using her personal vacation to attend all games and multi-day trips with the team. Frampton also tutors players after practice in biology and anatomy/physiology and does the little things to show the players she truly cares.

Aragon has been instrumental in the success of Feather River softball for over a decade, which includes a highly-successful 2026 campaign that witnessed the program's sixth Golden Valley Conference title, the No. 8 seed and a first-round host in the 3C2A Northern California Regional, a sweep of Fresno City in the regionals, and a 28-15 overall record. He is involved in all aspects of the program, serving as the recruiting coordinator, pitching coach and hitting instructor, overseeing the catchers, providing year-round field maintenance and assisting the college during the summer revamping of the dorms. Head coach Meredith Aragon adds that Coach Marco has made a lasting impact on the FRC softball program through his unwavering commitment to student-athlete development, community engagement and growth of the sports. One of Coach Marco's most significant contributions has been his dedication to expanding the opportunities for young athletes, as he has organized and led numerous youth camps, clinics, and instructional programs designed to make softball accessible to athletes of all backgrounds. Through partnerships with local schools, recreation programs, and travel-ball organizations, he has helped create pathways for participation and development while inspiring the next generation of softball players.

Gould is earning her second assistant coach of the year distinction after collecting her first nod in 2018 and was key in Mt. Hood's 2026 NWAC title, the third in the last five years with her on the staff. She works with the outfielders, serves as the recruiting coordinator and handles all aspects of the program's social media. In her recruiting role, Gould has been pivotal in bringing in some of the Pacific Northwest's top talent to Mt. Hood. On the field, Gould's hard work has paid off with her consistent development of NFCA All-Americans. Her social media expertise showcases the team ranging from promotional posts to "a day in the life" of their student-athletes. Head coach Brittany Hendrickson added that Gould is the heart and soul of their program with her personality, bringing so much joy and laughter every day.

The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded Easton/NFCA Assistant Coach of the Year awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to a comprehensive drills database, to in-person events and a National Convention.

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7000 members today!