ROCHESTER, Mich. - Oakland University Athletics has announced Vince Alessandrini as the new head coach of the Golden Grizzlies softball program.

"I am excited to welcome Vince to the Oakland Athletics Family and I look forward to him leading the Golden Grizzlies Softball program," said Oakland Director of Athletics Steve Waterfield. "Throughout the search process, Vince stood out with his vision for the program and how to achieve student -athlete success on and off the field."

Alessandrini brings nearly a decade of collegiate coaching experience to Rochester, having served as the head coach at the University of Michigan-Dearborn since 2017. During his eight seasons with the Wolverines, Alessandrini established UM-Dearborn as a consistent contender, highlighted by a pair of conference championships and the first NAIA Opening Round appearance in program history.

Alessandrini made an immediate impact in his first season at UM-Dearborn, leading the Wolverines to the 2017 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) regular-season championship. The team posted a 30-10 overall record and went 16-4 in conference play, setting a program record with 15 consecutive WHAC victories. His efforts earned him WHAC Coach of the Year honors, marking the first time a UM-Dearborn coach received the award.

In 2022, Alessandrini guided UM-Dearborn to another historic campaign, leading the Wolverines to the WHAC Tournament Championship and the program's first-ever NAIA Opening Round berth. The team finished 30-13, setting a program record with 17 conference victories. During the campaign he coached Four Wolverines to WHAC All-Conference recognition, while also earning his second WHAC Coach of the Year honor.

Over his eight seasons at UM-Dearborn, Alessandrini coached 19 All-WHAC selections, one WHAC Player of the Year and one NAIA All-American Honorable Mention.

Prior to joining UM-Dearborn, Alessandrini served as the head softball coach at Macomb Community College, where he led the Monarchs to league and district championships in 2015. His accomplishments that season earned him District Coach of the Year honors, while the Monarchs also advanced to the NJCAA National Championship.

"I am incredibly honored to be named the Head softball coach at Oakland University. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Director of Athletics, Steve Waterfield, and Associate A.D. for Administration, Jenny Swiatowy, for their confidence in hiring me," said Alessandrini. "I am excited to build a culture that our players, university, alumni, and community can be proud of. My vision is to create an atmosphere for our student-athletes to succeed on and off the field. It has always been a dream of mine to coach at Oakland University. I am grateful to my family,  who have supported me throughout my coaching journey, as well as all the coaches, players, and mentors who have been a big part of my journey."

Alessandrini begins a new era on the diamond in Rochester, and now takes over an Oakland program with a strong tradition of success. He aims to keep the upward trajectory of a Golden Grizzlies program that improved by seven wins last season, while bringing a fresh face and impeccable leadership to the team.