STANFORD, Calif. – Paul A. Violich Director of Softball Jessica Allister announced a pair of changes for the Cardinal coaching staff today. Jolene Henderson will be joining the program as an assistant coach, while Sara Groenewegen will transition from her assistant coach position to Director of Softball Recruiting and Technology.
“I am incredibly grateful for Stanford’s continued investment in our softball program,” said Paul A. Violich Director of Softball Jessica Allister. “This move for Sara and the addition of Jolene position our program well as we continue our quest to bring Stanford Softball’s first national championship back to The Farm.”
Henderson was a standout at California from 2010-13, twice earning Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year honors. She earned a pair of NFCA All-America First Team nods, as well as one appearance on the Second Team and four All-Pac-12 selections. Henderson was inducted into the California Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023, and still holds the program records for single-season (40 in 2011) and career wins (130). Henderson previously served as a volunteer assistant coach at Florida from 2018-19.
“It is an honor to join Stanford Softball, a program that is consistently one of the nation’s best on the field, in the classroom and in the community,” said Henderson. “I’ve long admired coach Allister’s success and dedication to developing outstanding young women. I am so excited to be on The Farm and to be a part of Cardinal Softball.”
“During the interview process it became very clear that Jolene is a great fit for Stanford,” said Allister. “She values the undergraduate experience that we offer our student-athletes here on The Farm, and is committed to enhancing it. Our players will benefit from her wealth of experience and knowledge gained competing on the national and international stage.
With Henderson joining Groenewegen and pitching coach Danielle O’Toole-Trejo, the Cardinal staff now features a trio of former pitchers that boast eight All-America selections, six conference Pitcher of the Year awards as well as 11 NFCA All-Region and All-Conference picks.
Groenewegen moves into her new role as she continues to train for the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Groenewegen has previously competed with the Canadian national team, winning a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“Recruiting is the lifeblood of any program, and the boost that this new position will give our recruiting efforts will be felt right away,” said Allister. “In addition, this move will continue to bolster our use of technology to support our player development. Sara has been a great asset to Stanford Softball in her time as an assistant coach. I am confident that she will flourish in her new position.”
The Cardinal is back on campus this month for the start of fall practice, looking to extend a streak of six-straight trips to the postseason. The Cardinal’s 2026 campaign will also be the program’s first in a new state-of-the-art facility. More information can be found at GoStanford.com.