SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Dominican University of California athletic director Amy Henkelman announced the promotion of Juliana Santos to the title of interim head softball coach after Tori Nyberg accepted a position at Stanford.
 
"I wish the best to coach Nyberg on her new position," Henkelman said. "It's been an honor working with her this past year. It will be a smooth transition with coach Santos taking over the reins and I look forward to seeing her continue to move the program forward. She brings a wealth of knowledge and great energy. This is a great opportunity for both coaches."
 
Santos spent the past season as Nyberg's assistant coach and helped the Penguins finish with a record of 23-27 overall and 18-14 in the Pacific West Conference. Santos has previously served as an assistant coach at Stanislaus State from 2015-16 after spending a year as the head coach at Gregori High School. Santos has also been active in club coaching, coaching the Nor Cal Thunder 10u team the past two years and assisting with the All-American Sports Academy 18u team this past summer.
 
"I am thrilled to be given such a great opportunity to take over the program here at Dominican," Santos said. "Running a college program has always been a dream of mine for a long time. I look forward to building on the culture that coach Nyberg and I began to cultivate last season."
 
Santos played infield for LSU from 2008-12 being named to the 2009 SEC All-Freshman team and was an NFCA All-South Region selection in 2009. She started 208 games for the Tigers and helped them reach the Women's College World Series as a senior. A fantastic student, Santos was also an SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree.
 
Nyberg leaves Dominican after one season to return to her alma mater as the pitching coach for the Cardinal. She is confident in the direction of the program at Dominican and in Santos abilities as a head coach.
 
"There is no one I can think of that would be better to take over the reins of this program than Jules," Nyberg said. "Jules' knowledge of the game is among the very best of any coach I have met. She is quite possibly the most creative coach I have ever worked with, and she has a proven track record of success. I know that she will do amazing things for this program moving forward and I am glad to see the team is being left in the very best hands."