A legend in the sport of softball, Lisa Fernandez begins her tenure as general manager for the Talons during the inaugural 2025 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season. Fernandez is in her 27th season on the coaching staff at UCLA, which is also her alma mater. She is also in her third year as the Mark Kalmansohn Associate Head Coach where her primary focus is working with the team’s hitters and infielders while managing the program’s recruiting department. While on the Bruins’ bench, the team has compiled a 1,212-259-2 record with five NCAA titles and 12 Women’s College World Series appearances. UCLA has also claimed seven regular season conference championships and also one league tournament title. As a member of the Bruins’ staff, she has been honored as NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year three times (2004, 2010, 2019) and NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year eight times (2000, 2010, 2014-16, 2019, 2021, 2024). Before assuming the associate head coaching role with the Bruins, Fernandez led a pitching staff that has collected 21 total NFCA All-America selections and ranked in the top 10 nationally in earned run average during each of Fernandez’s last five seasons in the role. She saw AUSL star Rachel Garcia garner a pair of Honda Cups, including three Honda Sport Awards for softball, and a pair of USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year accolades. Fernandez also guided fellow AUSL hurler Megan Faraimo as the program’s first back-to-back Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year. A three-time Olympian, Fernandez was the only player to appear in the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Gold medal games for Team USA, pitching in all three contests. In the 2004 Athens Olympics, Fernandez established an Olympic record with a .545 batting average while leading the team to its third straight Gold medal. Fernandez set another Olympic record with 25 strikeouts in a single game and ended the 2000 Sydney Olympics with an 0.47 ERA as Team USA claimed its second straight Gold medal. In her first Olympiad, Fernandez posted a 1-1 record and an 0.33 ERA as the USA won a Gold medal in front of a home crowd at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Fernandez fashioned a 7-1 record in the circle during 11 career Olympic appearances with one save across 74.2 innings of work. She held a 0.37 earned run average and struck out 93 batters while surrendering just seven walks. As a hitter, Fernandez also excelled at the plate, posting a .302 batting average (23-for-76) with three home runs, 15 runs batted in and 10 runs scored. She was also an alternate for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In addition to her Olympic accolades, Fernandez propelled Team USA to Gold medals at four straight World Championships between 1990 and 2002. She also claimed a trio of Gold medals at the 1991, 1999 and 2003 Pan American Games. Lauded as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history, Fernandez was a standout for UCLA from 1990-93 where she was a four-time Honda Sports Award winner as the nation’s best player. She was also the first softball athlete to claim the Honda Broderick Cup in 1993 as the country’s most outstanding collegiate female student-athlete. A four-time First-Team All-America recipient, the pitcher/infielder led the Bruins to a 222-21 record and the 1990 and 1992 NCAA titles. The team also finished as the national runner-up in 1991 and 1993. Fernandez, a two-way star for the Bruins, completed her collegiate career with a 93-7 record in the circle with one save over 107 appearances. She authored a 0.22 career earned run average with 95 complete games and 784 strikeouts over 694.2 innings. As a hitter, Fernandez authored a .381 career batting average (287-for-752) and 128 runs batted in across 240 career games. She scored 142 runs and drew 85 walks compared to just 16 strikeouts. Fernandez led the nation as a senior with a .510 batting average and a 0.25 ERA on her way to the 1993 Honda-Broderick Cup. She was the recipient of the NCAA Top Six Award in 1994 as one of the top six senior student-athletes across all divisions. In her junior season, Fernandez tallied a miniscule 0.14 ERA and posted one of just three undefeated pitching seasons in NCAA softball history after finishing with a 29-0 record. Fernandez was inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 before earning enshrinement as a 2013 inductee in the USA Softball Hall of Fame. In addition, Fernandez is a two-time selection to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, earning the honor as an individual and as a member of the 2004 Olympic Softball Team. A legend in the sport of softball, Lisa Fernandez begins her tenure as general manager for the Talons during the inaugural 2025 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season. Fernandez is in her 27th season on the coaching staff at UCLA, which is also her alma mater. She is also in her third year as the Mark Kalmansohn Associate Head Coach where her primary focus is working with the team’s hitters and infielders while managing the program’s recruiting department. While on the Bruins’ bench, the team has compiled a 1,212-259-2 record with five NCAA titles and 12 Women’s College World Series appearances. UCLA has also claimed seven regular season conference championships and also one league tournament title. As a member of the Bruins’ staff, she has been honored as NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year three times (2004, 2010, 2019) and NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year eight times (2000, 2010, 2014-16, 2019, 2021, 2024). Before assuming the associate head coaching role with the Bruins, Fernandez led a pitching staff that has collected 21 total NFCA All-America selections and ranked in the top 10 nationally in earned run average during each of Fernandez’s last five seasons in the role. She saw AUSL star Rachel Garcia garner a pair of Honda Cups, including three Honda Sport Awards for softball, and a pair of USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year accolades. Fernandez also guided fellow AUSL hurler Megan Faraimo as the program’s first back-to-back Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year. A three-time Olympian, Fernandez was the only player to appear in the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Gold medal games for Team USA, pitching in all three contests. In the 2004 Athens Olympics, Fernandez established an Olympic record with a .545 batting average while leading the team to its third straight Gold medal. Fernandez set another Olympic record with 25 strikeouts in a single game and ended the 2000 Sydney Olympics with an 0.47 ERA as Team USA claimed its second straight Gold medal. In her first Olympiad, Fernandez posted a 1-1 record and an 0.33 ERA as the USA won a Gold medal in front of a home crowd at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Fernandez fashioned a 7-1 record in the circle during 11 career Olympic appearances with one save across 74.2 innings of work. She held a 0.37 earned run average and struck out 93 batters while surrendering just seven walks. As a hitter, Fernandez also excelled at the plate, posting a .302 batting average (23-for-76) with three home runs, 15 runs batted in and 10 runs scored. She was also an alternate for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In addition to her Olympic accolades, Fernandez propelled Team USA to Gold medals at four straight World Championships between 1990 and 2002. She also claimed a trio of Gold medals at the 1991, 1999 and 2003 Pan American Games. Lauded as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history, Fernandez was a standout for UCLA from 1990-93 where she was a four-time Honda Sports Award winner as the nation’s best player. She was also the first softball athlete to claim the Honda Broderick Cup in 1993 as the country’s most outstanding collegiate female student-athlete. A four-time First-Team All-America recipient, the pitcher/infielder led the Bruins to a 222-21 record and the 1990 and 1992 NCAA titles. The team also finished as the national runner-up in 1991 and 1993. Fernandez, a two-way star for the Bruins, completed her collegiate career with a 93-7 record in the circle with one save over 107 appearances. She authored a 0.22 career earned run average with 95 complete games and 784 strikeouts over 694.2 innings. As a hitter, Fernandez authored a .381 career batting average (287-for-752) and 128 runs batted in across 240 career games. She scored 142 runs and drew 85 walks compared to just 16 strikeouts. Fernandez led the nation as a senior with a .510 batting average and a 0.25 ERA on her way to the 1993 Honda-Broderick Cup. She was the recipient of the NCAA Top Six Award in 1994 as one of the top six senior student-athletes across all divisions. In her junior season, Fernandez tallied a miniscule 0.14 ERA and posted one of just three undefeated pitching seasons in NCAA softball history after finishing with a 29-0 record. Fernandez was inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 before earning enshrinement as a 2013 inductee in the USA Softball Hall of Fame. In addition, Fernandez is a two-time selection to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, earning the honor as an individual and as a member of the 2004 Olympic Softball Team. A legend in the sport of softball, Lisa Fernandez begins her tenure as general manager for the Talons during the inaugural 2025 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season. Fernandez is in her 27th season on the coaching staff at UCLA, which is also her alma mater. She is also in her third year as the Mark Kalmansohn Associate Head Coach where her primary focus is working with the team’s hitters and infielders while managing the program’s recruiting department. While on the Bruins’ bench, the team has compiled a 1,212-259-2 record with five NCAA titles and 12 Women’s College World Series appearances. UCLA has also claimed seven regular season conference championships and also one league tournament title. As a member of the Bruins’ staff, she has been honored as NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year three times (2004, 2010, 2019) and NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year eight times (2000, 2010, 2014-16, 2019, 2021, 2024). Before assuming the associate head coaching role with the Bruins, Fernandez led a pitching staff that has collected 21 total NFCA All-America selections and ranked in the top 10 nationally in earned run average during each of Fernandez’s last five seasons in the role. She saw AUSL star Rachel Garcia garner a pair of Honda Cups, including three Honda Sport Awards for softball, and a pair of USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year accolades. Fernandez also guided fellow AUSL hurler Megan Faraimo as the program’s first back-to-back Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year. A three-time Olympian, Fernandez was the only player to appear in the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Gold medal games for Team USA, pitching in all three contests. In the 2004 Athens Olympics, Fernandez established an Olympic record with a .545 batting average while leading the team to its third straight Gold medal. Fernandez set another Olympic record with 25 strikeouts in a single game and ended the 2000 Sydney Olympics with an 0.47 ERA as Team USA claimed its second straight Gold medal. In her first Olympiad, Fernandez posted a 1-1 record and an 0.33 ERA as the USA won a Gold medal in front of a home crowd at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Fernandez fashioned a 7-1 record in the circle during 11 career Olympic appearances with one save across 74.2 innings of work. She held a 0.37 earned run average and struck out 93 batters while surrendering just seven walks. As a hitter, Fernandez also excelled at the plate, posting a .302 batting average (23-for-76) with three home runs, 15 runs batted in and 10 runs scored. She was also an alternate for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In addition to her Olympic accolades, Fernandez propelled Team USA to Gold medals at four straight World Championships between 1990 and 2002. She also claimed a trio of Gold medals at the 1991, 1999 and 2003 Pan American Games. Lauded as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history, Fernandez was a standout for UCLA from 1990-93 where she was a four-time Honda Sports Award winner as the nation’s best player. She was also the first softball athlete to claim the Honda Broderick Cup in 1993 as the country’s most outstanding collegiate female student-athlete. A four-time First-Team All-America recipient, the pitcher/infielder led the Bruins to a 222-21 record and the 1990 and 1992 NCAA titles. The team also finished as the national runner-up in 1991 and 1993. Fernandez, a two-way star for the Bruins, completed her collegiate career with a 93-7 record in the circle with one save over 107 appearances. She authored a 0.22 career earned run average with 95 complete games and 784 strikeouts over 694.2 innings. As a hitter, Fernandez authored a .381 career batting average (287-for-752) and 128 runs batted in across 240 career games. She scored 142 runs and drew 85 walks compared to just 16 strikeouts. Fernandez led the nation as a senior with a .510 batting average and a 0.25 ERA on her way to the 1993 Honda-Broderick Cup. She was the recipient of the NCAA Top Six Award in 1994 as one of the top six senior student-athletes across all divisions. In her junior season, Fernandez tallied a miniscule 0.14 ERA and posted one of just three undefeated pitching seasons in NCAA softball history after finishing with a 29-0 record. Fernandez was inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 before earning enshrinement as a 2013 inductee in the USA Softball Hall of Fame. In addition, Fernandez is a two-time selection to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, earning the honor as an individual and as a member of the 2004 Olympic Softball Team.

An experienced coach with an eye for hitting, Howard Dobson will serve as the head coach of the Talons during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season. Dobson spent 13 seasons as an assistant softball coach at LSU from 2012-24, helping the Tigers earn 12 NCAA Tournament entries, including four Women’s College World Series appearances. While working with the Tigers’ hitters, Dobson tutored 13 All-America honorees, 12 First-Team All-Southeastern Conference selections and 14 Second-Team All-SEC picks. He also helped produce over a dozen record-breaking seasons by hitters and maintained LSU as one of the top programs in the sport. In Dobson’s last season with LSU in 2024, the Tigers compiled a 44-17 record and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional for the 10th time in program history, including the first time since 2021. The Tigers ranked third in the SEC with a .290 team batting average and placed five players on the NFCA All-Region teams in addition to three All-SEC selections. Under Dobson’s guidance, LSU advanced to the Women’s College World Series in three consecutive seasons from 2015-17. The Tigers posted back-to-back 50-win campaigns in 2015 and 2016 before achieving a 48-22 mark in 2017. Dobson arrived in Baton Rouge after a stint as the head coach at Southern Miss from 2008-11. He led the Golden Eagles to 93 wins over four seasons and saw Southern Miss earn seven All-Conference certificates. Megan Hill, who finished her career holding eight school records, also became the first Southern Miss player to earn NFCA All-Midwest Region plaudits since 2000. Dobson was involved with USA Softball between 2012-21, including the 2020 WBSC World Championship where Team USA won the Gold medal on a 7-6 walk-off victory. The win secured a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where Dobson helped Team USA claim the Silver medal. In addition, Dobson coached teams at the World Cup of Softball, Canadian Open, Pan American Games in addition to repeating as champions at the 2016 World Championship. A native of Orange, Texas, Dobson spent five seasons as an assistant softball at Oklahoma, where he guided seven players to All-America status and 15 NFCA All-Midwest Region selections. The Sooners reached the Women’s College World Series with Dobson on the bench in 2003 and 2004 while earning a berth in the NCAA Super Regional during each of his five years with the team. Prior to his time in Norman, Dobson helped begin the softball program at Houston after a two-year stint at Southeastern Louisiana. Dobson, who spent two years on the Cougars’ staff, holds the honor of being the first assistant coach in program history. Dobson began his extensive coaching career as a volunteer assistant at McNeese State before coaching at various locations, including Pelican State, Barbe High School and LaGrange High School. A collegiate baseball player, Dobson played at Panola College (NJCAA) for two years and earned All-Conference honors before ending his career at McNeese State for the 1994-95 seasons. While with the Cowboys, Dobson held a .306 batting average across 46 games. Dobson earned a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance and English from McNeese State in 1997.An experienced coach with an eye for hitting, Howard Dobson will serve as the head coach of the Talons during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season. Dobson spent 13 seasons as an assistant softball coach at LSU from 2012-24, helping the Tigers earn 12 NCAA Tournament entries, including four Women’s College World Series appearances. While working with the Tigers’ hitters, Dobson tutored 13 All-America honorees, 12 First-Team All-Southeastern Conference selections and 14 Second-Team All-SEC picks. He also helped produce over a dozen record-breaking seasons by hitters and maintained LSU as one of the top programs in the sport. In Dobson’s last season with LSU in 2024, the Tigers compiled a 44-17 record and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional for the 10th time in program history, including the first time since 2021. The Tigers ranked third in the SEC with a .290 team batting average and placed five players on the NFCA All-Region teams in addition to three All-SEC selections. Under Dobson’s guidance, LSU advanced to the Women’s College World Series in three consecutive seasons from 2015-17. The Tigers posted back-to-back 50-win campaigns in 2015 and 2016 before achieving a 48-22 mark in 2017. Dobson arrived in Baton Rouge after a stint as the head coach at Southern Miss from 2008-11. He led the Golden Eagles to 93 wins over four seasons and saw Southern Miss earn seven All-Conference certificates. Megan Hill, who finished her career holding eight school records, also became the first Southern Miss player to earn NFCA All-Midwest Region plaudits since 2000. Dobson was involved with USA Softball between 2012-21, including the 2020 WBSC World Championship where Team USA won the Gold medal on a 7-6 walk-off victory. The win secured a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where Dobson helped Team USA claim the Silver medal. In addition, Dobson coached teams at the World Cup of Softball, Canadian Open, Pan American Games in addition to repeating as champions at the 2016 World Championship. A native of Orange, Texas, Dobson spent five seasons as an assistant softball at Oklahoma, where he guided seven players to All-America status and 15 NFCA All-Midwest Region selections. The Sooners reached the Women’s College World Series with Dobson on the bench in 2003 and 2004 while earning a berth in the NCAA Super Regional during each of his five years with the team. Prior to his time in Norman, Dobson helped begin the softball program at Houston after a two-year stint at Southeastern Louisiana. Dobson, who spent two years on the Cougars’ staff, holds the honor of being the first assistant coach in program history. Dobson began his extensive coaching career as a volunteer assistant at McNeese State before coaching at various locations, including Pelican State, Barbe High School and LaGrange High School. A collegiate baseball player, Dobson played at Panola College (NJCAA) for two years and earned All-Conference honors before ending his career at McNeese State for the 1994-95 seasons. While with the Cowboys, Dobson held a .306 batting average across 46 games. Dobson earned a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance and English from McNeese State in 1997.An experienced coach with an eye for hitting, Howard Dobson will serve as the head coach of the Talons during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season. Dobson spent 13 seasons as an assistant softball coach at LSU from 2012-24, helping the Tigers earn 12 NCAA Tournament entries, including four Women’s College World Series appearances. While working with the Tigers’ hitters, Dobson tutored 13 All-America honorees, 12 First-Team All-Southeastern Conference selections and 14 Second-Team All-SEC picks. He also helped produce over a dozen record-breaking seasons by hitters and maintained LSU as one of the top programs in the sport. In Dobson’s last season with LSU in 2024, the Tigers compiled a 44-17 record and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional for the 10th time in program history, including the first time since 2021. The Tigers ranked third in the SEC with a .290 team batting average and placed five players on the NFCA All-Region teams in addition to three All-SEC selections. Under Dobson’s guidance, LSU advanced to the Women’s College World Series in three consecutive seasons from 2015-17. The Tigers posted back-to-back 50-win campaigns in 2015 and 2016 before achieving a 48-22 mark in 2017. Dobson arrived in Baton Rouge after a stint as the head coach at Southern Miss from 2008-11. He led the Golden Eagles to 93 wins over four seasons and saw Southern Miss earn seven All-Conference certificates. Megan Hill, who finished her career holding eight school records, also became the first Southern Miss player to earn NFCA All-Midwest Region plaudits since 2000. Dobson was involved with USA Softball between 2012-21, including the 2020 WBSC World Championship where Team USA won the Gold medal on a 7-6 walk-off victory. The win secured a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where Dobson helped Team USA claim the Silver medal. In addition, Dobson coached teams at the World Cup of Softball, Canadian Open, Pan American Games in addition to repeating as champions at the 2016 World Championship. A native of Orange, Texas, Dobson spent five seasons as an assistant softball at Oklahoma, where he guided seven players to All-America status and 15 NFCA All-Midwest Region selections. The Sooners reached the Women’s College World Series with Dobson on the bench in 2003 and 2004 while earning a berth in the NCAA Super Regional during each of his five years with the team. Prior to his time in Norman, Dobson helped begin the softball program at Houston after a two-year stint at Southeastern Louisiana. Dobson, who spent two years on the Cougars’ staff, holds the honor of being the first assistant coach in program history. Dobson began his extensive coaching career as a volunteer assistant at McNeese State before coaching at various locations, including Pelican State, Barbe High School and LaGrange High School. A collegiate baseball player, Dobson played at Panola College (NJCAA) for two years and earned All-Conference honors before ending his career at McNeese State for the 1994-95 seasons. While with the Cowboys, Dobson held a .306 batting average across 46 games. Dobson earned a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance and English from McNeese State in 1997.

Kirk Walker has played an integral part in the success of the UCLA softball program for over two decades and now, he is hoping to guide the Talons to similar success during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League season in 2025. Walker transitioned into working as the Bruins’ director of softball administration this spring after serving as an assistant coach and associate head coach. In Walker’s coaching stints with UCLA, the Bruins won seven NCAA titles and reached the Women’s College World Series 18 times across 23 seasons. With Walker in the dugout, the Bruins compiled an impressive 828-156-1 (.840) record with 11 conference regular season titles and a Pac-12 Conference Tournament championship. UCLA also earned the NCAA title in 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992 and 2019. Serving as the Bruins’ third base coach, Walker was a member of the 2019 NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year in addition to earning six NFCA West Region Coaching Staff of the Year certificates. UCLA players accumulated 61 NFCA All-America citations, 127 All-Conference selections and 11 CoSIDA/College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® awards. Walker began his coaching career as an undergraduate assistant at UCLA in 1984 and was a member of the Bruins’ staff for 11 years before taking the head coaching position at Oregon State. He worked closely with the UCLA pitchers and was instrumental in the development and success of numerous players, including Debbie Doom, Tracy Compton and Lisa Fernandez. The all-time winningest coach in Oregon State history with a 594-490-3 (.548) record, Walker spent 18 seasons with the Beavers and led them to 10 postseason appearances and 40 or more wins in a season eight times. In 2006, Walker piloted the Beavers to the first Women’s College World Series appearance in program history with a No. 5 national ranking and a 43-16 mark, which included a school-record 28-game winning streak. Oregon State authored an identical 43-16 record and won its first Pac-10 Conference title in 2005, earning Walker the league’s Coach of the Year honor. Oregon State’s most successful season came in 1999 when the Beavers won a school-record 47 games and reached the postseason for the first time in school history. Walker’s staff was recognized as a co-recipient of the Speedline Pacific Region Coaching Staff of the Year award, while Walker was named the Pac-10’s Coach of the Year. Under Walker’s guidance, Oregon State student-athletes accounted for 33 All-Conference citations, 10 NFCA All-America awards and 26 NFCA All-Region honors. Walker returned to the UCLA dugout in advance of the 2013 season, serving as an assistant coach from 2013-22 before elevating to the role of associate head coach ahead of the 2023 season. In addition to his success at the collegiate level, Walker was instrumental in the organization and coaching of the Finland Softball Women’s National Team in 2022. The squad secured its first international victory against Turkey at the WBSC European Championships. Walker also owns coaching experience at the professional level. He served as head coach for the PFX Pro Tour for four seasons in addition to being head coach and general manager for the California Commotion of the National Pro Fastpitch. In 2017, Walker was an assistant coach on the USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team that won the Gold medal at the WBSC Junior Women’s World Championship. He was also one of 12 coaches to form the Team USA Women’s National Team Coaches Pool for the 2004 Athens Olympics and spent time as an assistant coach for the USA Elite Team from 2002-04. One of the most visible and vocal advocates for diversity and inclusion in sports, Walker is one of the founders of the Equality Coaching Alliance and the LGBTIQ+ Sports Coalition while serving as a founding board member for the Sports Equality Foundation. He is also the coordinator of the NFCA’s LGBTQ+ Convention session. In October 2024, Walker was named as one of the top 100 most powerful and influential LGBTQ people in sports by Outsports. He will be inducted into the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame on August 10, 2025, in Las Vegas. Walker’s impact in softball extends beyond the coaching level. He is a co-founder and owner of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, college softball’s premier early-season tournament that has brought thousands of fans to the Palm Springs area for over 20 years. In addition to his coaching success, Walker boasts a playing resume that includes being named Most Valuable Pitcher after winning the 2015 North America Fastpitch Association Men’s Masters 40-and-Over National Championship. He won a second title in 2019 and has been an All-World Team selection six times. Walker earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from UCLA in 1988. Kirk Walker has played an integral part in the success of the UCLA softball program for over two decades and now, he is hoping to guide the Talons to similar success during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League season in 2025. Walker transitioned into working as the Bruins’ director of softball administration this spring after serving as an assistant coach and associate head coach. In Walker’s coaching stints with UCLA, the Bruins won seven NCAA titles and reached the Women’s College World Series 18 times across 23 seasons. With Walker in the dugout, the Bruins compiled an impressive 828-156-1 (.840) record with 11 conference regular season titles and a Pac-12 Conference Tournament championship. UCLA also earned the NCAA title in 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992 and 2019. Serving as the Bruins’ third base coach, Walker was a member of the 2019 NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year in addition to earning six NFCA West Region Coaching Staff of the Year certificates. UCLA players accumulated 61 NFCA All-America citations, 127 All-Conference selections and 11 CoSIDA/College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® awards. Walker began his coaching career as an undergraduate assistant at UCLA in 1984 and was a member of the Bruins’ staff for 11 years before taking the head coaching position at Oregon State. He worked closely with the UCLA pitchers and was instrumental in the development and success of numerous players, including Debbie Doom, Tracy Compton and Lisa Fernandez. The all-time winningest coach in Oregon State history with a 594-490-3 (.548) record, Walker spent 18 seasons with the Beavers and led them to 10 postseason appearances and 40 or more wins in a season eight times. In 2006, Walker piloted the Beavers to the first Women’s College World Series appearance in program history with a No. 5 national ranking and a 43-16 mark, which included a school-record 28-game winning streak. Oregon State authored an identical 43-16 record and won its first Pac-10 Conference title in 2005, earning Walker the league’s Coach of the Year honor. Oregon State’s most successful season came in 1999 when the Beavers won a school-record 47 games and reached the postseason for the first time in school history. Walker’s staff was recognized as a co-recipient of the Speedline Pacific Region Coaching Staff of the Year award, while Walker was named the Pac-10’s Coach of the Year. Under Walker’s guidance, Oregon State student-athletes accounted for 33 All-Conference citations, 10 NFCA All-America awards and 26 NFCA All-Region honors. Walker returned to the UCLA dugout in advance of the 2013 season, serving as an assistant coach from 2013-22 before elevating to the role of associate head coach ahead of the 2023 season. In addition to his success at the collegiate level, Walker was instrumental in the organization and coaching of the Finland Softball Women’s National Team in 2022. The squad secured its first international victory against Turkey at the WBSC European Championships. Walker also owns coaching experience at the professional level. He served as head coach for the PFX Pro Tour for four seasons in addition to being head coach and general manager for the California Commotion of the National Pro Fastpitch. In 2017, Walker was an assistant coach on the USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team that won the Gold medal at the WBSC Junior Women’s World Championship. He was also one of 12 coaches to form the Team USA Women’s National Team Coaches Pool for the 2004 Athens Olympics and spent time as an assistant coach for the USA Elite Team from 2002-04. One of the most visible and vocal advocates for diversity and inclusion in sports, Walker is one of the founders of the Equality Coaching Alliance and the LGBTIQ+ Sports Coalition while serving as a founding board member for the Sports Equality Foundation. He is also the coordinator of the NFCA’s LGBTQ+ Convention session. In October 2024, Walker was named as one of the top 100 most powerful and influential LGBTQ people in sports by Outsports. He will be inducted into the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame on August 10, 2025, in Las Vegas. Walker’s impact in softball extends beyond the coaching level. He is a co-founder and owner of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, college softball’s premier early-season tournament that has brought thousands of fans to the Palm Springs area for over 20 years. In addition to his coaching success, Walker boasts a playing resume that includes being named Most Valuable Pitcher after winning the 2015 North America Fastpitch Association Men’s Masters 40-and-Over National Championship. He won a second title in 2019 and has been an All-World Team selection six times. Walker earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from UCLA in 1988. Kirk Walker has played an integral part in the success of the UCLA softball program for over two decades and now, he is hoping to guide the Talons to similar success during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League season in 2025. Walker transitioned into working as the Bruins’ director of softball administration this spring after serving as an assistant coach and associate head coach. In Walker’s coaching stints with UCLA, the Bruins won seven NCAA titles and reached the Women’s College World Series 18 times across 23 seasons. With Walker in the dugout, the Bruins compiled an impressive 828-156-1 (.840) record with 11 conference regular season titles and a Pac-12 Conference Tournament championship. UCLA also earned the NCAA title in 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992 and 2019. Serving as the Bruins’ third base coach, Walker was a member of the 2019 NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year in addition to earning six NFCA West Region Coaching Staff of the Year certificates. UCLA players accumulated 61 NFCA All-America citations, 127 All-Conference selections and 11 CoSIDA/College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® awards. Walker began his coaching career as an undergraduate assistant at UCLA in 1984 and was a member of the Bruins’ staff for 11 years before taking the head coaching position at Oregon State. He worked closely with the UCLA pitchers and was instrumental in the development and success of numerous players, including Debbie Doom, Tracy Compton and Lisa Fernandez. The all-time winningest coach in Oregon State history with a 594-490-3 (.548) record, Walker spent 18 seasons with the Beavers and led them to 10 postseason appearances and 40 or more wins in a season eight times. In 2006, Walker piloted the Beavers to the first Women’s College World Series appearance in program history with a No. 5 national ranking and a 43-16 mark, which included a school-record 28-game winning streak. Oregon State authored an identical 43-16 record and won its first Pac-10 Conference title in 2005, earning Walker the league’s Coach of the Year honor. Oregon State’s most successful season came in 1999 when the Beavers won a school-record 47 games and reached the postseason for the first time in school history. Walker’s staff was recognized as a co-recipient of the Speedline Pacific Region Coaching Staff of the Year award, while Walker was named the Pac-10’s Coach of the Year. Under Walker’s guidance, Oregon State student-athletes accounted for 33 All-Conference citations, 10 NFCA All-America awards and 26 NFCA All-Region honors. Walker returned to the UCLA dugout in advance of the 2013 season, serving as an assistant coach from 2013-22 before elevating to the role of associate head coach ahead of the 2023 season. In addition to his success at the collegiate level, Walker was instrumental in the organization and coaching of the Finland Softball Women’s National Team in 2022. The squad secured its first international victory against Turkey at the WBSC European Championships. Walker also owns coaching experience at the professional level. He served as head coach for the PFX Pro Tour for four seasons in addition to being head coach and general manager for the California Commotion of the National Pro Fastpitch. In 2017, Walker was an assistant coach on the USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team that won the Gold medal at the WBSC Junior Women’s World Championship. He was also one of 12 coaches to form the Team USA Women’s National Team Coaches Pool for the 2004 Athens Olympics and spent time as an assistant coach for the USA Elite Team from 2002-04. One of the most visible and vocal advocates for diversity and inclusion in sports, Walker is one of the founders of the Equality Coaching Alliance and the LGBTIQ+ Sports Coalition while serving as a founding board member for the Sports Equality Foundation. He is also the coordinator of the NFCA’s LGBTQ+ Convention session. In October 2024, Walker was named as one of the top 100 most powerful and influential LGBTQ people in sports by Outsports. He will be inducted into the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame on August 10, 2025, in Las Vegas. Walker’s impact in softball extends beyond the coaching level. He is a co-founder and owner of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, college softball’s premier early-season tournament that has brought thousands of fans to the Palm Springs area for over 20 years. In addition to his coaching success, Walker boasts a playing resume that includes being named Most Valuable Pitcher after winning the 2015 North America Fastpitch Association Men’s Masters 40-and-Over National Championship. He won a second title in 2019 and has been an All-World Team selection six times. Walker earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from UCLA in 1988.

Jo Koons starts her first season in the professional ranks by serving as an assistant coach for the Talons during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League campaign in 2025. The Chico, California, native continues a busy year of coaching after completing her first season as the head softball coach at Abilene Christian. The fifth head coach in Wildcats’ history, she piloted ACU to its first berth in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament since 2022 after earning the No. 5 seed with an 11-13 record in league play. Koons, who was named as the Wildcats’ bench boss on June 27, 2024, also mentored senior pitcher Lina Russo, who earned Second-Team All-WAC status after leading the league in innings pitched (178.1) while ranking third in the circuit with 105 strikeouts. Prior to joining Abilene Christian, Koons spent two seasons as an assistant coach at UT Arlington. She worked primarily with the Mavericks’ defense and served as the program’s recruiting coordinator. In 2024, Koons coached UT Arlington to a 23-34 record, including an 11-14 mark in the Western Athletic Conference. The Mavericks, who placed sixth in the WAC standings, reached the league’s semifinals after downing Tarleton and Seattle University in the postseason event. Koons also mentored First-Team All-WAC honoree Camille Corona, who was also a member of the league’s All-Defensive Team. During Koons’ first season at UT Arlington, the Mavericks authored a 22-30 record and finished seventh in the WAC regular season standings with a 11-13 mark. Marley Neises garnered Second-Team All-WAC status after leading the Mavericks with a .382 batting average and seven home runs. Koons worked as an assistant coach at Longwood University during the 2022 campaign, leading the Lancers to a berth in the Big South Conference championship game. Anchored by Big South Freshman of the Year Jaden Pone, Longwood posted a 34-24 overall record with a 21-6 league mark in Koons’ lone season with the Lancers. Koons also spent two seasons on the coaching staff at Oregon, overseeing one of the top defensive units in the nation. The Ducks claimed 40 wins during the 2021 campaign and ranked 15th nationally with a .977 fielding percentage. Koons’ coaching resume also includes stops at Utah State, Colorado Christian and Stanford. She served as the head coach at Lassen College in California during the 2018 season. A four-year letter winner at shortstop for Utah State from 2012-15, Koons compiled a .271 career batting average while appearing in 203 games. She closed her career with 156 hits, including 20 doubles and 10 triples, while scoring 92 runs. Koons graduated from Utah State in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies before earning her master’s degree in organizational leadership from Colorado Christian in 2018. Jo Koons starts her first season in the professional ranks by serving as an assistant coach for the Talons during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League campaign in 2025. The Chico, California, native continues a busy year of coaching after completing her first season as the head softball coach at Abilene Christian. The fifth head coach in Wildcats’ history, she piloted ACU to its first berth in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament since 2022 after earning the No. 5 seed with an 11-13 record in league play. Koons, who was named as the Wildcats’ bench boss on June 27, 2024, also mentored senior pitcher Lina Russo, who earned Second-Team All-WAC status after leading the league in innings pitched (178.1) while ranking third in the circuit with 105 strikeouts. Prior to joining Abilene Christian, Koons spent two seasons as an assistant coach at UT Arlington. She worked primarily with the Mavericks’ defense and served as the program’s recruiting coordinator. In 2024, Koons coached UT Arlington to a 23-34 record, including an 11-14 mark in the Western Athletic Conference. The Mavericks, who placed sixth in the WAC standings, reached the league’s semifinals after downing Tarleton and Seattle University in the postseason event. Koons also mentored First-Team All-WAC honoree Camille Corona, who was also a member of the league’s All-Defensive Team. During Koons’ first season at UT Arlington, the Mavericks authored a 22-30 record and finished seventh in the WAC regular season standings with a 11-13 mark. Marley Neises garnered Second-Team All-WAC status after leading the Mavericks with a .382 batting average and seven home runs. Koons worked as an assistant coach at Longwood University during the 2022 campaign, leading the Lancers to a berth in the Big South Conference championship game. Anchored by Big South Freshman of the Year Jaden Pone, Longwood posted a 34-24 overall record with a 21-6 league mark in Koons’ lone season with the Lancers. Koons also spent two seasons on the coaching staff at Oregon, overseeing one of the top defensive units in the nation. The Ducks claimed 40 wins during the 2021 campaign and ranked 15th nationally with a .977 fielding percentage. Koons’ coaching resume also includes stops at Utah State, Colorado Christian and Stanford. She served as the head coach at Lassen College in California during the 2018 season. A four-year letter winner at shortstop for Utah State from 2012-15, Koons compiled a .271 career batting average while appearing in 203 games. She closed her career with 156 hits, including 20 doubles and 10 triples, while scoring 92 runs. Koons graduated from Utah State in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies before earning her master’s degree in organizational leadership from Colorado Christian in 2018. Jo Koons starts her first season in the professional ranks by serving as an assistant coach for the Talons during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League campaign in 2025. The Chico, California, native continues a busy year of coaching after completing her first season as the head softball coach at Abilene Christian. The fifth head coach in Wildcats’ history, she piloted ACU to its first berth in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament since 2022 after earning the No. 5 seed with an 11-13 record in league play. Koons, who was named as the Wildcats’ bench boss on June 27, 2024, also mentored senior pitcher Lina Russo, who earned Second-Team All-WAC status after leading the league in innings pitched (178.1) while ranking third in the circuit with 105 strikeouts. Prior to joining Abilene Christian, Koons spent two seasons as an assistant coach at UT Arlington. She worked primarily with the Mavericks’ defense and served as the program’s recruiting coordinator. In 2024, Koons coached UT Arlington to a 23-34 record, including an 11-14 mark in the Western Athletic Conference. The Mavericks, who placed sixth in the WAC standings, reached the league’s semifinals after downing Tarleton and Seattle University in the postseason event. Koons also mentored First-Team All-WAC honoree Camille Corona, who was also a member of the league’s All-Defensive Team. During Koons’ first season at UT Arlington, the Mavericks authored a 22-30 record and finished seventh in the WAC regular season standings with a 11-13 mark. Marley Neises garnered Second-Team All-WAC status after leading the Mavericks with a .382 batting average and seven home runs. Koons worked as an assistant coach at Longwood University during the 2022 campaign, leading the Lancers to a berth in the Big South Conference championship game. Anchored by Big South Freshman of the Year Jaden Pone, Longwood posted a 34-24 overall record with a 21-6 league mark in Koons’ lone season with the Lancers. Koons also spent two seasons on the coaching staff at Oregon, overseeing one of the top defensive units in the nation. The Ducks claimed 40 wins during the 2021 campaign and ranked 15th nationally with a .977 fielding percentage. Koons’ coaching resume also includes stops at Utah State, Colorado Christian and Stanford. She served as the head coach at Lassen College in California during the 2018 season. A four-year letter winner at shortstop for Utah State from 2012-15, Koons compiled a .271 career batting average while appearing in 203 games. She closed her career with 156 hits, including 20 doubles and 10 triples, while scoring 92 runs. Koons graduated from Utah State in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies before earning her master’s degree in organizational leadership from Colorado Christian in 2018.

Alex Ibarra’s familiarity with Athletes Unlimited will come in handy for the Talons’ coaching staff during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League season in 2025. Ibarra, who will be part of Howard Dobson’s staff during the opening week of the season, spent time as a batting practice pitcher for AU Pro Softball during the 2022 Championship Season and 2023 AUX season. Ibarra completed his first season as an assistant coach at Appalachian State this spring, leading the Mountaineers to a 23-27 record. Three members of the Mountaineers’ roster earned All-Sun Belt Conference distinction, including Makayla McClain, who was a First-Team All-Sun Belt selection in addition to earning a spot on the NFCA All-Mid-Atlantic Region Second Team. Prior to joining the Appalachian State staff, the Cedar Hill, Texas, native was a graduate student manager for the LSU softball team, assisting with day-to-day operations for the program in addition to throwing batting practice. During his time in Baton Rouge, the Tigers secured 155 wins and reached the NCAA Tournament four times. Ibarra started his college career as a manager at UT Arlington in 2019. The Mavericks won 36 games during his lone season and won the National Invitational Softball Championship. Ibarra was named to the first-ever USA Softball U-23 Men’s National Team as a pitcher. He also earned a spot on the 2018 USA Softball Junior Men’s National Team and competed in the WBSC World Championship in Prince Albert, Canada. Ibarra was also on the coaching staff for the USA Women’s National Team in October 2022 and helped the squad earn a berth in the 2023 Pan American Games. Ibarra earned his bachelor’s degree in sports administration from LSU in 2023 and is currently working toward his master’s degree in sports administration. Alex Ibarra’s familiarity with Athletes Unlimited will come in handy for the Talons’ coaching staff during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League season in 2025. Ibarra, who will be part of Howard Dobson’s staff during the opening week of the season, spent time as a batting practice pitcher for AU Pro Softball during the 2022 Championship Season and 2023 AUX season. Ibarra completed his first season as an assistant coach at Appalachian State this spring, leading the Mountaineers to a 23-27 record. Three members of the Mountaineers’ roster earned All-Sun Belt Conference distinction, including Makayla McClain, who was a First-Team All-Sun Belt selection in addition to earning a spot on the NFCA All-Mid-Atlantic Region Second Team. Prior to joining the Appalachian State staff, the Cedar Hill, Texas, native was a graduate student manager for the LSU softball team, assisting with day-to-day operations for the program in addition to throwing batting practice. During his time in Baton Rouge, the Tigers secured 155 wins and reached the NCAA Tournament four times. Ibarra started his college career as a manager at UT Arlington in 2019. The Mavericks won 36 games during his lone season and won the National Invitational Softball Championship. Ibarra was named to the first-ever USA Softball U-23 Men’s National Team as a pitcher. He also earned a spot on the 2018 USA Softball Junior Men’s National Team and competed in the WBSC World Championship in Prince Albert, Canada. Ibarra was also on the coaching staff for the USA Women’s National Team in October 2022 and helped the squad earn a berth in the 2023 Pan American Games. Ibarra earned his bachelor’s degree in sports administration from LSU in 2023 and is currently working toward his master’s degree in sports administration. Alex Ibarra’s familiarity with Athletes Unlimited will come in handy for the Talons’ coaching staff during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League season in 2025. Ibarra, who will be part of Howard Dobson’s staff during the opening week of the season, spent time as a batting practice pitcher for AU Pro Softball during the 2022 Championship Season and 2023 AUX season. Ibarra completed his first season as an assistant coach at Appalachian State this spring, leading the Mountaineers to a 23-27 record. Three members of the Mountaineers’ roster earned All-Sun Belt Conference distinction, including Makayla McClain, who was a First-Team All-Sun Belt selection in addition to earning a spot on the NFCA All-Mid-Atlantic Region Second Team. Prior to joining the Appalachian State staff, the Cedar Hill, Texas, native was a graduate student manager for the LSU softball team, assisting with day-to-day operations for the program in addition to throwing batting practice. During his time in Baton Rouge, the Tigers secured 155 wins and reached the NCAA Tournament four times. Ibarra started his college career as a manager at UT Arlington in 2019. The Mavericks won 36 games during his lone season and won the National Invitational Softball Championship. Ibarra was named to the first-ever USA Softball U-23 Men’s National Team as a pitcher. He also earned a spot on the 2018 USA Softball Junior Men’s National Team and competed in the WBSC World Championship in Prince Albert, Canada. Ibarra was also on the coaching staff for the USA Women’s National Team in October 2022 and helped the squad earn a berth in the 2023 Pan American Games. Ibarra earned his bachelor’s degree in sports administration from LSU in 2023 and is currently working toward his master’s degree in sports administration.

Will Oldham embarks on his coaching journey at the professional level by joining the Talons’ staff as an assistant coach during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League season. Oldham completed his third season as a member of the coaching staff at UCLA this spring after serving as the director of player development and data analytics. He opened his time at UCLA in 2023 as a volunteer assistant coach before moving into his current role. In 2024, the Bruins overcame a 3-4 start to post a 43-12 record and earn a berth into the NCAA Women’s College World Series. The turnaround vaulted Oldham and the Bruins’ coaching staff into being honored as the NFCA West Region Coaching Staff of the Year. Oldham worked closely with infielder Maya Brady and catcher Sharlize Palacios, helping the duo garner NFCA All-America status. Brady earned her second straight Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year citation after leading UCLA with a .418 batting average and 68 runs batted in, while Palacios belted five of her 20 home runs in the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins also won the Pac-12 regular season and tournament titles as Palacios was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. They also fashioned a perfect 5-0 record in NCAA Regional and Super Regional action to secure the program’s eighth WCWS berth in the last nine tournaments. In Oldham’s first year at UCLA, the Bruins posted a 52-7 record and secured the Pac-12 regular season title with three players earning NFCA All-America notice. Brady was a Top 3 finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award after setting career highs for batting average (.448), home runs (18) and slugging percentage (.866). Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery, meanwhile, were Top 10 finalists for the NFCA Freshman of the Year award after combining to drive in 104 runs, the most by a rookie duo in program history. Oldham, who also owns seven years of high school softball coaching experience in the Palm Springs area, was born in Indio, California.Will Oldham embarks on his coaching journey at the professional level by joining the Talons’ staff as an assistant coach during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League season. Oldham completed his third season as a member of the coaching staff at UCLA this spring after serving as the director of player development and data analytics. He opened his time at UCLA in 2023 as a volunteer assistant coach before moving into his current role. In 2024, the Bruins overcame a 3-4 start to post a 43-12 record and earn a berth into the NCAA Women’s College World Series. The turnaround vaulted Oldham and the Bruins’ coaching staff into being honored as the NFCA West Region Coaching Staff of the Year. Oldham worked closely with infielder Maya Brady and catcher Sharlize Palacios, helping the duo garner NFCA All-America status. Brady earned her second straight Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year citation after leading UCLA with a .418 batting average and 68 runs batted in, while Palacios belted five of her 20 home runs in the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins also won the Pac-12 regular season and tournament titles as Palacios was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. They also fashioned a perfect 5-0 record in NCAA Regional and Super Regional action to secure the program’s eighth WCWS berth in the last nine tournaments. In Oldham’s first year at UCLA, the Bruins posted a 52-7 record and secured the Pac-12 regular season title with three players earning NFCA All-America notice. Brady was a Top 3 finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award after setting career highs for batting average (.448), home runs (18) and slugging percentage (.866). Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery, meanwhile, were Top 10 finalists for the NFCA Freshman of the Year award after combining to drive in 104 runs, the most by a rookie duo in program history. Oldham, who also owns seven years of high school softball coaching experience in the Palm Springs area, was born in Indio, California.Will Oldham embarks on his coaching journey at the professional level by joining the Talons’ staff as an assistant coach during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League season. Oldham completed his third season as a member of the coaching staff at UCLA this spring after serving as the director of player development and data analytics. He opened his time at UCLA in 2023 as a volunteer assistant coach before moving into his current role. In 2024, the Bruins overcame a 3-4 start to post a 43-12 record and earn a berth into the NCAA Women’s College World Series. The turnaround vaulted Oldham and the Bruins’ coaching staff into being honored as the NFCA West Region Coaching Staff of the Year. Oldham worked closely with infielder Maya Brady and catcher Sharlize Palacios, helping the duo garner NFCA All-America status. Brady earned her second straight Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year citation after leading UCLA with a .418 batting average and 68 runs batted in, while Palacios belted five of her 20 home runs in the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins also won the Pac-12 regular season and tournament titles as Palacios was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. They also fashioned a perfect 5-0 record in NCAA Regional and Super Regional action to secure the program’s eighth WCWS berth in the last nine tournaments. In Oldham’s first year at UCLA, the Bruins posted a 52-7 record and secured the Pac-12 regular season title with three players earning NFCA All-America notice. Brady was a Top 3 finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award after setting career highs for batting average (.448), home runs (18) and slugging percentage (.866). Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery, meanwhile, were Top 10 finalists for the NFCA Freshman of the Year award after combining to drive in 104 runs, the most by a rookie duo in program history. Oldham, who also owns seven years of high school softball coaching experience in the Palm Springs area, was born in Indio, California.