WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) today announced the hiring of Aubrie Brooks as the new head coach of the Grizzly Softball team.
Brooks’ first day on the job will be July 1. Her hiring is pending approval by the MSU Board of Governors, officials said.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Brooks to the Grizzly Athletics department and the softball team,” Director of Athletics Rachel Peterson said. “Her experience as a collegiate student-athlete, as well as coaching at the NCAA level, will make the transition smooth.
“I am confident she will be an encouragement to our returning softball players, and she will be able to recruit locally,” Peterson added.
“I’m honored and excited to be chosen to lead the softball program at MSU-WP,” Brooks said. “This position feels like more than just a career step; it feels like coming home. Having lived just an hour from campus, teaching and coaching in the area for the past five years, I’ve watched this program grow with interest and excitement. When the position opened this time, I knew it was something I had to pursue.
“Before moving to the area, I coached at Eastern Illinois University, Covenant College, Bucknell University and Southeast Missouri State University, but being here, so close to home and my family, feels special,” Brooks added. “It’s a full-circle moment that combines my passion for coaching with my commitment to developing young women both on and off the field. I’m excited to help build something lasting here at MSU-WP, a competitive, supportive and empowering environment for our student-athletes. MSU-WP is a place with incredible potential, and I’m proud to be a part of its future.”
More about Brooks
The Monroe, Michigan, native comes to MSU-WP after spending the past three years as a secondary physical education teacher and head softball coach at Alton High School. She led the Comets to back-to-back appearances in the Big Spring Conference Championship in 2024 and 2025, winning the title in 2024. She also was named Big Spring Conference Coach of the Year in 2024.
Her collegiate coaching career began in 2011 and includes stops at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida (student assistant coach 2011); Eastern Illinois University in Charleston (graduate assistant coach 2013-2014); Covenant College, an NCAA Division III program in Lookout Mountain, Georgia (assistant coach 2015, head coach 2018-2020); Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania (assistant coach 2016); and Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) in Cape Girardeau (assistant coach 2017-2018).
Brooks played two seasons of collegiate softball for Jacksonville University. Despite battling injuries, the infielder put together her best season in 2009 finishing second on the team in doubles and third in RBIs through 44 games.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Jacksonville University, took master’s level courses in education administration at Eastern Illinois University and will complete a Master of Arts in Education from Missouri Baptist University this summer.
Goals for the Grizzlies
Brooks said her primary goal as head coach of Grizzly Softball “is to build a competitive, values-driven and respected program that prepares our student-athletes for success both on the field and in life. I want Grizzly Softball to be known for its strong work ethic, positive team culture and the way we represent ourselves in the classroom and in the community.
“I aim to create an environment that fosters leadership, resilience and accountability, where excellence is expected and players are supported,” she added. “Ultimately, I hope to establish a foundation that not only leads to postseason success but also makes MSU-WP a destination for student-athletes who want to grow, compete and prepare for the next level, whether in softball or in life.”
Brooks said her coaching experience will help her achieve those goals. “Starting as a graduate assistant at Eastern Illinois University, I learned the importance of behind-the-scenes work. My time at smaller schools like Covenant and larger programs like Bucknell and SEMO gave me a wide lens into the world of college athletics. I learned how to recruit, how to connect with players from all walks of life, and how to help them grow as individuals, not just athletes.
“My time as a recruiting coordinator at SEMO, in particular, helped me understand what it takes to build a program with vision and purpose,” she added. “Coaching high school and teaching also gave me a fresh perspective on mentorship and the role coaches play in shaping the foundation of our youth. These experiences have made me a more well-rounded leader, ready for this opportunity.”
Brooks described her coaching style as “relational, intentional and development focused. I believe in building strong relationships with my players, getting to know who they are as individuals, not just athletes. I also place high value on hard work, accountability and attention to detail. I want our players to feel both supported and challenged every day, and I strive to create an environment where they can grow as competitors, teammates and leaders, on and off the field.”
What to expect from Grizzly Softball
Brooks said she will look for players who are coachable, competitive and committed to fill the Grizzly bench. “Talent is important, but I’m also focused on finding players with strong character, a great work ethic and a team-first mentality,” she explained. “I want players who are ready to embrace the challenge of building a legacy, athletes who take pride in representing their school and community.”
Fans can expect to see a Grizzly team that plays with heart, hustle and passion. “We’ll be fundamentally sound, aggressive on the bases, and relentless in our effort. More importantly, they’ll see a group of young women who support each other, compete fearlessly and carry themselves with integrity. We want the community to be proud of what Grizzly Softball stands for,” she said.
To build on the program’s success will take a “clear vision, consistent work and buy-in from everyone involved – players, coaches and the broader MSU-WP community,” Brooks said. “It starts with setting high standards for how we train, how we compete and how we carry ourselves every day. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with a focus on discipline, culture and player development, I believe we can continue to elevate Grizzly Softball every year.”
Brooks said she will begin her tenure getting to know the returning players then begin laying the foundation of the team’s culture of accountability, respect and growth. “I want them to know that this is a new chapter and an opportunity for us to set the tone for what Grizzly Softball represents,” she explained. “We’re going to build a program that we can be proud of and that this community can be proud to support.”
Brooks thanked the Grizzly fans and West Plains community for the support they’ve already shown. “Your enthusiasm means a lot, and we’re going to work hard to make you proud,” she said.
She also encouraged fans to “come out and be a part of this journey with us. There’s something special happening here, and we need your help to build it together. Go Grizzlies!”
For more information about the Grizzly Softball program, visit MSUWPGrizzlies.com
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