Samford University Athletics

Tyra Perry enters her first season as the head coach of the Samford University Softball team. Perry was named the 12th head coach in Bulldog softball history on August 12th, 2026.

Perry is a veteran coach with 700+ career wins an 6 NCAA Tournament appearances during her time with Western Kentucky, Ball State, and Illinois. During her tenure at the University of Illinois from 2015 to 2026, she achieved 300+ wins and led her teams to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022.

She began her coaching career as an head coach at Birmingham-Southern College from (2001-2007). Where she worked from the ground up to build a new Division I program. She also lead them to their first ever winning season. She also served as the Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator during her time there.

Perry would end up becoming the next Head Softball Coach at Western Kentucky University from (2008-2013). She would earn two Sun Belt Coach of the Year awards in (2009, 2013). She also was able to capture her first NCAA Regional appearance, conference championship, and 40-win season in Western Kentcuky's school history.

Tyra would then become the Head Softball Coach at Ball State Univseristy(2014-2015) where she would earn the 2014 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year award. She would lead her team to a MAC regular-season and tournament championships. Which also lead to Ball State's first NCAA Regional victory in program history. In 2015 Perry became the Head Softball Coach at the University of Illinois where she would achieve 300+ wins and develope multiple NFCA All-Region and All-America athletes.