The 2027 season marks Jim Walker’s third as the Aggies’ head softball coach and 14th season overall in his collegiate softball head coaching career.
Head Coaching Highlights at OPSU (Through Two Seasons)
Between the 2025 and 2026 seasons with Panhandle State, Walker’s team and athletes compiled:
- One SAC Newcomer of the Year
- One First Team All-SAC selection
- One NFCA NAIA All-Region First Team player
- Three Second Team All-SAC awards
- Four Honorable Mention All-SAC players
- Two SAC Golden Glove honors
- Seven NAIA Scholar-Athletes
- Six CSC Academic All-District Team members
- One SAC Tournament appearance
Hired in June 2024, Walker led the Aggies to an 11-win improvement during the 2025 season when the Aggies went 26-27 (17-19 SAC), featuring a victory over Texas Wesleyan in the SAC Tournament. OPSU closed the season ranked fourth in the NAIA in stolen bases and boasted the NAIA’s individual stolen-base leader as Walker instilled an aggressive base-running style with Panhandle State’s players. The season was recognized with seven postseason awards, including the Aggies claiming the SAC Newcomer of the year, an NFCA NAIA All-Region First Team player, one First Team All-SAC selection and one Second Team All-SAC pitcher.
OPSU was also well-represented following the 2026 season under Walker, having a Second Team All-SAC pitcher to go with three players on the Honorable Mention All-SAC team. The Aggies were strong in the classroom, too, as four softball players were named NAIA Scholar-Athletes and four received CSC Academic All-District Team recognition.
Head Coaching Highlights at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (Four Seasons)
During his tenure with the SMWC Pomeroys from 2021-2024, Walker led the team to back-to-back River States Conference Tournament Championships in 2022 and 2023. Under his guidance, the Pomeroys made impressive strides, advancing to the NAIA National Championships in the program's first two seasons as a member of the NAIA. Walker's leadership played a significant role in establishing a winning culture both within the softball program and abroad among SMWC’s athletics department.
Head Coaching Highlights at Franciscan University of Steubenville (Six Seasons)
Ahead of the 2015 season, Walker took on the role of head softball coach at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he also served as the NCAA Compliance Officer and Director of Recruiting. At Franciscan University, Walker transformed the Lady Barons softball program into a conference championship contender, achieving 60 of the program's 68 all-time wins.
Additional Coaching Experience and Highlights
Prior to joining the staff at Franciscan, Walker got his head coaching start in college at Wheeling Jesuit in 2014. His extensive coaching experience includes serving as an assistant coach with the Pennsylvania Rebellion, a professional fastpitch softball team from Washington, Pennsylvania, from 2015-2018.
Walker’s teams have consistently excelled, with highlights including coaching the 2018 NCAA Division III Team Leader in Stolen Bases, a 2016 NPF Playoff team, the 2019 AMCC Conference runner-up team, and the 2019 ECAC Regional team.
In addition to his coaching achievements, Walker is actively involved in the Miracle League of Pittsburgh and the National Federation Coaches Association.
Education/Certifications
Walker holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Psychology from Argosy University. He is also a certified ASA softball umpire and a certified strength & conditioning coach.
Personal
Walker resides in Goodwell, Oklahoma, and enjoys following the Pittsburg sports teams – the Pirates, Penguins and Steelers. He has two adult daughters, Courtney and Caitlin, and a grandson, William.
