UC San Diego

Shelby Thompson begins her first season as the pitching coach for the UC San Diego softball program in 2027.

A former Triton standout, Thompson returns to La Jolla after spending the past two seasons on the coaching staff at Utah State. During her tenure with the Aggies, she helped guide the program to its first Mountain West Tournament appearance since 2011 while playing an integral role in developing the pitching staff and recruiting nationally recognized talent, including Division I Top 100 recruits in consecutive recruiting classes. She also helped mentor multiple all-conference selections.

In March 2026, Thompson was elevated to interim head coach, overseeing all aspects of the Division I program for the remainder of the season. In that role, she managed the day-to-day operations of the Aggies while leading the team through conference play and continuing the program's development.

Before beginning her collegiate coaching career, Thompson worked as a pitching instructor in the San Diego area, providing individualized instruction to pitchers of all ages. She focused on developing mechanics, building confidence and helping athletes maximize their performance in the circle.

As a scholar-athlete at UC San Diego from 2020-24, Thompson was a cornerstone of the Tritons' pitching staff and a leader within the program while earning her bachelor's degree in International Business. She now returns to her alma mater to help develop the next generation of Triton pitchers under head coach Nikki Palmer.