AUSL Unveils General Managers and Head Coaches for Inaugural 2025 Season

NEW YORK — The Athletes Unlimited Softball League unveiled its general managers and head coaches for the inaugural 2025 season in late 2024. All four GMs are Olympic medalists or softball legends, reflecting the league’s commitment to player-led leadership.

Lisa Fernandez, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, was named general manager of the Utah Talons. Jenny Dalton-Hill leads the Chicago Bandits, Dana Sorensen heads the Carolina Blaze, and Cat Osterman, a three-time Olympic medalist, runs the Texas Volts.

Head coaches include Howard Dobson (Utah Talons), Stacey Nuveman-Deniz (Chicago Bandits), Alisa Goler (Carolina Blaze), and Kelly Kretschman (Texas Volts).

Building Competitive Rosters

The coaching and front-office hires set the foundation for each team’s competitive identity heading into the inaugural 2025 season. General managers were responsible for roster construction through the draft, free agency and player evaluation, while head coaches oversaw game strategy, player development and in-season management.

The hires drew from a deep pool of softball expertise, including former Olympic athletes, longtime collegiate coaches and experienced front-office executives. The combination of on-field credibility and organizational experience gave each franchise a professional leadership structure from day one.

Impact on the Inaugural Season

The quality of the coaching hires was reflected in the competitive balance of the 2025 season, where all four teams were in contention through the regular season before the Utah Talons emerged as champions. The parity demonstrated that the league’s roster-building rules and drafting system, overseen by the newly hired front offices, successfully distributed talent across the league.

Several coaches and GMs have since been retained for the expanded 2026 season, providing continuity as the league grows from four to six teams. The OKC Spark and Portland Cascade also announced their front-office and coaching hires as part of the expansion process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the AUSL general managers?

Lisa Fernandez (Utah Talons), Jenny Dalton-Hill (Chicago Bandits), Dana Sorensen (Carolina Blaze), and Cat Osterman (Texas Volts) serve as the original four AUSL general managers.

Is Cat Osterman involved in the AUSL?

Yes. Cat Osterman, a three-time Olympic medalist, serves as general manager of the Texas Volts.