VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — After a season leading the softball program at Regent University, Brianna Cooper is returning to one of the nation's premier NCAA Division III programs, rejoining Batten University as Associate Head Softball Coach.

Batten University Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Head Softball Coach Brandon Elliott announced Cooper's return to the Marlins, where she previously served as an assistant coach from 2022-2025 and helped guide the program through one of the most successful stretches in its history.

"This is a tremendous hire for our softball program and our department as a whole," said Elliott. "Bri understands the expectations and championship standard of Marlin Softball and shares the same passion I have for developing a great team culture. The experience she gained as a head coach makes her return even more valuable and impactful in this new, expanded role."

Cooper returns to Batten after serving as head softball coach at Regent University during the 2025-26 season. Her year leading her own program added valuable head coaching experience to an already accomplished résumé that includes national recognition for her work with the Marlins.

During Cooper's first tenure at Batten, she was part of the 2024 and 2025 NFCA All-Region Coaching Staffs of the Year. She helped lead the Marlins to back-to-back ODAC regular-season and tournament championships and consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division III Women's College World Series. Cooper was also named the 2025 NFCA Division III National Assistant Coach of the Year.

"I am incredibly excited to be back at Batten and continue being part of the Marlins softball family," said Cooper. "This program has always meant a lot to me, and I'm incredibly grateful to President Dr. Miller and Coach Elliott for giving me this opportunity. Having the chance to come back in a different role and use what I've learned over the last year to help our student-athletes and this program is something I'm really excited about. It's the people that make a place special, and this place has always had some of the best people. I can't wait to get back to work and be part of the future of Batten softball."

The 2025 season was particularly historic for the Marlins. Batten captured its second consecutive ODAC regular-season and tournament championships, advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 15th time in program history and the 12th consecutive season, and reached its seventh NCAA Super Regional. The Marlins ultimately finished as the 2025 NCAA Division III National Runner-Up after facing Trine University in the best-of-three national championship series.

Cooper also played an important role in developing some of the most accomplished pitchers in program history. She coached Emma Adams, the 2024 ODAC Pitcher of the Year, who finished her career with a 62-10 record from 2023-26 and ranks second in program history in career victories. Adams won 24 games during the 2024 season.

Cooper also coached Lauren Bible, who completed her Batten career with a 59-13 record from 2022-25, ranking fourth in program history in career wins. Bible won a career-high 27 games during the 2025 season and earned third-team NFCA All-America honors.

Originally from Grand Prairie, Texas, Cooper resides in Suffolk with her husband, Keith, Class of 2019, and their son, Maddux.