Tyra Perry was hired as the University of Illinois’ second-ever softball head coach in June 2015. She spent the past 15 seasons as a NCAA Division I softball head coach, totaling 409 career victories at Ball State, Western Kentucky and Birmingham Southern.

Perry was named the 2014 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year during her first season at Ball State. At Western Kentucky, Perry was named Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2013. 

The Illini (23-15, 3-6 Big Ten) will play a home doubleheader against Northwestern (14-20, 5-4 Big Ten) on Wednesday starting at 5 p.m.