Nicole Bellini, who served as Interim Head Coach of New York University's softball team in 2025, has been promoted to Head Coach of the program.

Bellini joined NYU as an assistant coach in October 2022 and was promoted to Interim Head Coach prior to the 2024-25 academic year.

"We are pleased to announce the appointment of Nicole Bellini as the permanent Head Coach of NYU Softball," said Director of Athletics, Jake Olkkola. "Throughout her time as interim head coach, Nicole has shown a strong alignment with the department's core values of integrity, accountability, and student-athlete development. Her leadership has brought structure and a renewed sense of direction to the softball program. We are confident that her continued guidance will strengthen the team's competitive foundation while fostering a positive and inclusive culture that reflects the mission of NYU Athletics."

In her lone season at the helm, the Violets posted victories over University Athletic Association (UAA) opponents Brandeis University and Carnegie Mellon University.

Bellini helped produce a pair of Second Team All-UAA players in 2025, as both Alyssa Quary and Naya Schubel earned the designations. A total of 11 players were named UAA Spring All-Academic, while Nicole Cicchetti, Olivia de Hesselle, Marina Egbert, and Karleigh Kleuver were cited as Academic All-District by the College Sports Communicators (CSC).

As an assistant coach in 2024, Bellini helped produce a pair of UAA honorees as both Madi Hand and Lindsey Baron earned Second Team accolades. A total of 12 student-athletes earned UAA All-Academic honors. Lily Candelaria and Jessie Werthman received Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar awards, while Hand, Werthman, Emily Stone, and Lizzy Smith were chosen CSC Academic All-District.
 
In her first season on the staff in 2023, Bellini helped lead the Violets to a 19-19 record, including six wins against UAA opponents. Ten players received UAA All-Academic honors and Samantha Burggraf (infield) and Margaux Lesser (infield) were named to the All-UAA Second Team.

"I am incredibly humbled to officially step into the role of Head Coach for NYU Softball," Bellini said. "Our student-athletes are the heart of this program, and I can't wait to continue building on the foundation of dedication and excellence that defines New York University and the University Athletic Association."
 
Bellini served as the Head Softball Coach at her alma mater, Baruch College, from 2020-22. Under her guidance, the Bearcats Baruch finished third in the City University of New York Athletic Conference CUNYAC) standings as she took home CUNYAC Coach of the Year honors.

A 2018 Baruch graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems and a Psychology minor, Bellini played for the Bearcats for three seasons, was a three-time CUNYAC All-Star, three-time MVP, and all-time leader in batting average (.406).

A year before going to Baruch, Bellini attended NCAA Division I Fairleigh Dickinson University, was a member of their softball team and made the Northeast Conference Spring Academic Honor Roll.

Bellini is a native and resident of Staten Island, NY.