MOUNT OLIVE (Sept. 22) – Following nine years at the helm of the University of Mount Olive softball program Mandy Sansbury has resigned as head coach of the Trojans to pursue a Division I assistant coach position at IUPUI. Assistant coach Luke Shamblin has been appointed as interim head coach for the 2024 season.

Shamblin recently completed his fifth season as an assistant coach with Mount Olive and brings nearly a decade of experience in collegiate softball. In his time with the program, he has had the opportunity to mentor a pair of All-Americans and help the Trojans capture the Conference Carolinas regular season title behind a 39-13 record, the most wins in single-season history. Shamblin has also been essential to the improvement of the Trojans in the field serving as the team defensive specialist.

"I am incredibly grateful to Director of Athletics Joey Higginbotham and Assistant Director of Athletics Kristen Gurley for entrusting me with this opportunity to step into my new role as interim head softball coach at the University of Mount Olive," said Shamblin. "I am fortunate to have a fantastic group of talented returners who are eager to continue the strong softball tradition at UMO."

Prior to rejoining the Trojans, Shamblin served three years as the head coach at Alderson Broaddus (2019-21), a former Division II institution in Philippi, West Virginia. In his first year, the Battlers more than doubled their win total from the previous season while making significant jumps in both offensive and defensive categories. Shamblin also met and exceeded recruiting and fundraising goals with the Battlers and navigated the program through the COVID-19 pandemic, which cut short the 2020 season. Before being promoted to head coach at Alderson Broaddus, he served a short stint as the assistant coach on the staff in late 2018.

In 2017, Shamblin served as a softball instructor and worked for the National Scouting Report on the college scouting staff.

In his first stint with the Trojans (2014-17), Shamblin was appointed as assistant coach following the hiring of Sansbury in June of 2014. He assisted the program to three straight 25+ win seasons, including a 33-20 record in 2016 with the Trojans reaching the Conference Carolinas Tournament semifinals.

Before joining UMO, he served as an assistant coach at Glenville State for two stints. In 2013, he was hired as the assistant coach under Sansbury and aided the Pioneers to a 20-27 record with two all-conference players. In 2010, he worked as the hitting coach and helped the team set the program record for batting average in a season (.289).

Shamblin completed his bachelor's degree in history & political science from the Glenville State College in 2010 before earning his master's degree in secondary social studies from the American Public University in 2014.

"I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to serve as the head softball coach at UMO over the past nine years. During my time here, I have witnessed the growth and development of my players, both as athletes and individuals, and it has been a privilege to be a part of their journey, said Sansbury. "I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved together, including two All-Americans, winning a regular season Conference Carolinas crown, and breaking over 20 school records. I am confident that the softball program will continue to thrive!"

In her nine years at the helm, Sansbury posted a 247-169 record as the head coach and led the Trojans to the 2022 Conference Carolinas regular season title. Mount Olive made the league tournament every year under Sansbury, including a trip to the finals in 2021. She helped the team to three 30-win seasons during her tenure, while coaching a pair of All-Americans and over 30 all-conference selections. In 2023, Sansbury reached the 300-win milestone in early April following a 6-1 win over Southern Wesleyan.