Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Head Coach Shonda Stanton to Also Coach AUSL Bandits
11/24/2025 12:00:00 PM | Softball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– Indiana Softball head coach Shonda Stanton will also serve as the head coach of the Bandits in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL).
Stanton will coach the Bandits in the summer, after the 2026 NCAA season is done.
The AUSL released a statement on Monday afternoon announcing the general managers and head coaches for the six teams slated to compete in the 2026 season. The league also revealed the 20 players – five from each of the league's original four teams – that have been protected by those clubs ahead of the AUSL Draft, next Monday, December 1, at 7 p.m. live on ESPNU.
Stanton will work with Bandits general manager Jenny Dalton-Hill to fill the roster through the draft.
The AUSL Draft event will lead off in its first half with an Expansion Draft, designed to help the Spark and the Cascade build a competitive foundation by selecting from unprotected players who are currently rostered with the original four AUSL teams.
The Allocation Draft will follow, providing opportunities for all six teams to select players who opt in for AUSL consideration, including athletes from the 2025 Reserve Pool and professional players from other independent teams and leagues around the world (including players who previously played for the Spark).
Stanton's five protected players on the Bandits include: Erin Coffel (IF), Lexi Kilfoyl (P), Taylor McQuillin (P), Skylar Wallace (IF), Morgan Zerkle (OF).
Stanton is entering her ninth season as the IU head coach in 2026. Stanton owns a 244-159 record in her time in Bloomington.
She led the program to a record three-straight NCAA Tournaments from 2023-25.
Stanton will coach the Bandits in the summer, after the 2026 NCAA season is done.
The AUSL released a statement on Monday afternoon announcing the general managers and head coaches for the six teams slated to compete in the 2026 season. The league also revealed the 20 players – five from each of the league's original four teams – that have been protected by those clubs ahead of the AUSL Draft, next Monday, December 1, at 7 p.m. live on ESPNU.
Stanton will work with Bandits general manager Jenny Dalton-Hill to fill the roster through the draft.
The AUSL Draft event will lead off in its first half with an Expansion Draft, designed to help the Spark and the Cascade build a competitive foundation by selecting from unprotected players who are currently rostered with the original four AUSL teams.
The Allocation Draft will follow, providing opportunities for all six teams to select players who opt in for AUSL consideration, including athletes from the 2025 Reserve Pool and professional players from other independent teams and leagues around the world (including players who previously played for the Spark).
Stanton's five protected players on the Bandits include: Erin Coffel (IF), Lexi Kilfoyl (P), Taylor McQuillin (P), Skylar Wallace (IF), Morgan Zerkle (OF).
Stanton is entering her ninth season as the IU head coach in 2026. Stanton owns a 244-159 record in her time in Bloomington.
She led the program to a record three-straight NCAA Tournaments from 2023-25.
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