MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Mulerider Softball and Head Coach Shelby Shelton announced today the additions of Taylor Swisher and Gracee Hess to the 2027 coaching staff.
 
On the announcement of Swisher's hire, Coach Shelton exclaimed, saying, "It is a huge addition for us to bring Coach Swish to SAU. He played a significant role in the success we have had at Paris and understands the culture and expectations that define our program. He provides a great balance to our coaching staff and does an outstanding job developing hitters while integrating our strength and conditioning program to meet the needs of all of our players. More importantly, he knows how to get the most out of student-athletes both on and off the field by building strong rapport that helps them reach their full potential."
 
Swisher makes his way to Magnolia after his previous stint at Paris Junior College with Head Coach Shelby Shelton. Swisher will head up the strength and conditioning as well as the hitting.  
 
"First, I would like to thank Dr. Hicks, Coach Browning, and Coach Shelton for this incredible opportunity," stated Swisher. "I couldn't be more excited to join a program with such a rich tradition of success and be part of a university that supports its student-athletes the way Southern Arkansas does."
 
At PJC, the two were a dynamic duo leading the team to a top four national finish at the NJCAA National Tournament. The team finished with a 52-12 overall record while also winning the Region 14 Championship. He was part of the coaching staff that was named the NFCA Midwest coaching staff of the year while having three NFCA All-Americans, three NFCA All-Region honorees, and one NJCAA All-American.
 
Swisher also added, "After working alongside Coach Shelton for the past three years, I have seen how much her players love playing for her and how she is able to create an environment to get the best out of them on and off the field. It is easy to see how she was able to build what she did at Paris (Junior College). Pair that with everything already in place here at SAU, I am confident there are big things ahead for Mulerider Softball, and I look forward to getting to work."
 
Prior to his time at PJC, Swisher was an assistant at Vernon College where he was the hitting, infield, and base running coach while also heading the opponent scouting and recruiting. Taylor also had a stint at Clarendon College as an assistant softball coach where he worked again with the infielders and hitters, which led to the best fielding percentage in the conference at the time.
 
Swisher was a 2018 graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a minor in Nutrition.
 
Gracee Hess joins the coaching staff after finishing her collegiate playing career at Lamar University just last year. During her two seasons of play at Lamar, Hess was a .237 hitter, totaling 14 doubles, three triples, five home runs, and 86 games played while slugging .390. In her final campaign with the Cardinals, Hess tallied 13 games with multiple hits, which was highlighted by a 4-5 (.800) day on the road in Waco, Texas against the Big 12's Baylor Bears. Also in that outing, Hess recorded two runs scored and three runs batted in, which also aided the Cards to defeat the Bears with a 10-8 final score.
 
"I am very excited to welcome Coach Hess to our staff here at SAU," remarked Shelton. "I first got to know her during the recruiting process while I was at Louisiana Tech, so I have experienced firsthand the type of person she is. She is passionate about the game, has a tremendous work ethic, and is eager to learn and grow as a coach. Her character and values align perfectly with what our program is built on, and I know she will be able to connect well with our student-athletes. Her former college coaches—people I have a great deal of respect for in this profession—spoke incredibly highly of her, which helped reinforce that she is the right fit for our program."
 
Hess has experience not only as a player but as an assistant coach with the Impact Gold softball program, as well as giving private lessons to children. During her time as an assistant coach, Hess aided in building up players who committed to various collegiate schools across all divisions of the game. Before that, her coaching experience came in private lessons, as she helped her clientele from ages 7-18 hone their skills as young softball players.
 
"I want to thank Dr. Hicks, Coach Browning, and Coach Shelton for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to join the Southern Arkansas family," exclaimed Hess. "I'm beyond excited to learn, grow, and work alongside such a great athletic department and coaching staff."
 
Hess is a 2026 graduate of Lamar University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in University Studies.
 
"I would also like to extend thanks to each coach that has been a part of my journey," said Hess. "I am grateful and humbled to be able to give back to a sport that's given me so much. It is very evident how much pride Magnolia has for SAU and Mulerider Athletics. I'm ready to get to work, bring great energy every day, and help build on the tradition of Mulerider Softball!"
 
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