Chambana Sun

Megan Mattingly has been named the new director of operations for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini women's softball program. The announcement was made by head coach Tyra Perry, who emphasized Mattingly's strong ties to the Illinois sports community.

"We are thrilled to welcome Megan to our staff!" Perry said. "Having grown up immersed in the Fighting Illini sports culture, she brings a deep passion for the game and a strong connection to our community. Her dedication and competitive spirit were evident during her playing days, and we are confident that she will bring that same drive and excellence to this new role."

Mattingly joins Illinois after three years at Southridge High School in Huntingburg, Indiana. At Southridge, she worked as head softball coach from 2022 to 2025 and contributed to the physical education and strength and conditioning department. She also served as assistant volleyball coach during 2023-24, assisted with graphic design in 2024, and was athletic director at Southridge Middle School in 2022-23.

During the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Mattingly acted as a regional site representative at the University of Oklahoma. In this capacity, she coordinated between NCAA staff, host institutions, teams, officials, and media to ensure compliance with tournament policies and smooth event operations. Her responsibilities included overseeing logistics such as team arrivals and credential distribution while resolving real-time issues related to weather delays or protocol enforcement.

A native of Danville, Illinois, Mattingly—formerly known as Megan Burton—played Division I softball at Eastern Illinois University from 2018 through 2022. In her senior year (2021), she earned multiple honors including OVC Player of the Year and OVC Scholar Athlete of the Year. Over five seasons with Eastern Illinois Panthers softball team, she appeared in 220 games with notable career statistics including a .302 batting average.

Mattingly holds a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and sports studies (2020) from EIU along with a master's degree in educational leadership (2022).

"I am so grateful for the opportunity to work for the University of Illinois," Mattingly said. "I am excited to be a part of Illinois Softball and the strong culture that is embedded within the program. This is home, and I am truly excited to be part of the FamILLy."