One of the most recognizable names in the history of softball, Lisa Fernandez is the Associate Head Softball Coach at UCLA, entering her 27th season on the Bruins’ coaching staff. In her 26 seasons at her alma mater, the Bruins have posted a 1,212-259-2 (.822) record and have claimed five NCAA championships (1999, 2003, 2004, 2010 and 2019). A three-time Olympic gold medal winner for Team USA (1996, 2000 and 2004), Fernandez posted a 0.33 ERA in the 1996 Olympics and earned the save in the United States’ gold medal victory over China during the sport’s inaugural appearance in the Olympics. One of the sport’s greatest college players, Fernandez was a two-time national champion and four-time First-Team All-American while starring for the Bruins from 1990-93.One of the most recognizable names in the history of softball, Lisa Fernandez is the Associate Head Softball Coach at UCLA, entering her 27th season on the Bruins’ coaching staff. In her 26 seasons at her alma mater, the Bruins have posted a 1,212-259-2 (.822) record and have claimed five NCAA championships (1999, 2003, 2004, 2010 and 2019). A three-time Olympic gold medal winner for Team USA (1996, 2000 and 2004), Fernandez posted a 0.33 ERA in the 1996 Olympics and earned the save in the United States’ gold medal victory over China during the sport’s inaugural appearance in the Olympics. One of the sport’s greatest college players, Fernandez was a two-time national champion and four-time First-Team All-American while starring for the Bruins from 1990-93.One of the most recognizable names in the history of softball, Lisa Fernandez is the Associate Head Softball Coach at UCLA, entering her 27th season on the Bruins’ coaching staff. In her 26 seasons at her alma mater, the Bruins have posted a 1,212-259-2 (.822) record and have claimed five NCAA championships (1999, 2003, 2004, 2010 and 2019). A three-time Olympic gold medal winner for Team USA (1996, 2000 and 2004), Fernandez posted a 0.33 ERA in the 1996 Olympics and earned the save in the United States’ gold medal victory over China during the sport’s inaugural appearance in the Olympics. One of the sport’s greatest college players, Fernandez was a two-time national champion and four-time First-Team All-American while starring for the Bruins from 1990-93.

Howard Dobson spent the past 13 seasons as an assistant coach at LSU, most recently as the program’s hitting coach. During his time with the Tigers, the program saw its offensive numbers surge to new heights with 15 individual single season records, 10 individual career records along with 16 offensive season records broken. Dobson’s hitters at LSU have collected 13 All-American awards, 12 All-SEC First Team honors, and 14 All-SEC Second Team honors. Dobson was heavily involved with USA Softball from 2012-2021 and helped coach Team USA to a WBSC World Championship in 2020 with a 7-6 walk-off win, securing a spot for Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics where they went on to win the silver medal. Previously, Dobson spent four seasons as the head coach of Southern Miss (2008-11) and five seasons as an assistant coach at Oklahoma (2003-07).Howard Dobson spent the past 13 seasons as an assistant coach at LSU, most recently as the program’s hitting coach. During his time with the Tigers, the program saw its offensive numbers surge to new heights with 15 individual single season records, 10 individual career records along with 16 offensive season records broken. Dobson’s hitters at LSU have collected 13 All-American awards, 12 All-SEC First Team honors, and 14 All-SEC Second Team honors. Dobson was heavily involved with USA Softball from 2012-2021 and helped coach Team USA to a WBSC World Championship in 2020 with a 7-6 walk-off win, securing a spot for Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics where they went on to win the silver medal. Previously, Dobson spent four seasons as the head coach of Southern Miss (2008-11) and five seasons as an assistant coach at Oklahoma (2003-07).Howard Dobson spent the past 13 seasons as an assistant coach at LSU, most recently as the program’s hitting coach. During his time with the Tigers, the program saw its offensive numbers surge to new heights with 15 individual single season records, 10 individual career records along with 16 offensive season records broken. Dobson’s hitters at LSU have collected 13 All-American awards, 12 All-SEC First Team honors, and 14 All-SEC Second Team honors. Dobson was heavily involved with USA Softball from 2012-2021 and helped coach Team USA to a WBSC World Championship in 2020 with a 7-6 walk-off win, securing a spot for Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics where they went on to win the silver medal. Previously, Dobson spent four seasons as the head coach of Southern Miss (2008-11) and five seasons as an assistant coach at Oklahoma (2003-07).

With over three decades of collegiate and international coaching experience, Kirk Walker will step into his newest challenge as the Talons’ associate head coach. A seven-time NCAA Champion and 19-time Women’s College World Series participant, Walker has cemented his legacy as one of the game’s most successful coaches. Walker’s most notable work came during his 23 seasons at UCLA, where he helped deliver national titles in 1984, ’85, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’92, and ’19. In addition to his decorated UCLA tenure, he also transformed Oregon State into a national contender, winning Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors twice (1999, 2005) and guiding the Beavers to their first-ever WCWS appearance in 2006. Beyond the field, Walker is a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, co-founding the Equality Coaching Alliance and earning recognition as one of the 100 most powerful LGBTQ+ figures in athletics by Outsports in 2024.With over three decades of collegiate and international coaching experience, Kirk Walker will step into his newest challenge as the Talons’ associate head coach. A seven-time NCAA Champion and 19-time Women’s College World Series participant, Walker has cemented his legacy as one of the game’s most successful coaches. Walker’s most notable work came during his 23 seasons at UCLA, where he helped deliver national titles in 1984, ’85, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’92, and ’19. In addition to his decorated UCLA tenure, he also transformed Oregon State into a national contender, winning Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors twice (1999, 2005) and guiding the Beavers to their first-ever WCWS appearance in 2006. Beyond the field, Walker is a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, co-founding the Equality Coaching Alliance and earning recognition as one of the 100 most powerful LGBTQ+ figures in athletics by Outsports in 2024.With over three decades of collegiate and international coaching experience, Kirk Walker will step into his newest challenge as the Talons’ associate head coach. A seven-time NCAA Champion and 19-time Women’s College World Series participant, Walker has cemented his legacy as one of the game’s most successful coaches. Walker’s most notable work came during his 23 seasons at UCLA, where he helped deliver national titles in 1984, ’85, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’92, and ’19. In addition to his decorated UCLA tenure, he also transformed Oregon State into a national contender, winning Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors twice (1999, 2005) and guiding the Beavers to their first-ever WCWS appearance in 2006. Beyond the field, Walker is a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, co-founding the Equality Coaching Alliance and earning recognition as one of the 100 most powerful LGBTQ+ figures in athletics by Outsports in 2024.

Currently serving as the head coach at Abilene Christian, Jo Koons brings a strong résumé of player development and team success across multiple Division I programs. Prior to taking over at ACU, she held assistant coaching roles at Oregon, UT Arlington, Longwood, and Stanford, where she helped lead multiple teams to NCAA Regional appearances and top-tier defensive rankings. Koons has mentored all-conference and all-region standouts and has been instrumental in building elite defensive units, including at Oregon, where she contributed to a nationally ranked defense. A former Division I shortstop at Utah State, Koons brings hands-on experience, making her a valuable addition to the Talons staff.Currently serving as the head coach at Abilene Christian, Jo Koons brings a strong résumé of player development and team success across multiple Division I programs. Prior to taking over at ACU, she held assistant coaching roles at Oregon, UT Arlington, Longwood, and Stanford, where she helped lead multiple teams to NCAA Regional appearances and top-tier defensive rankings. Koons has mentored all-conference and all-region standouts and has been instrumental in building elite defensive units, including at Oregon, where she contributed to a nationally ranked defense. A former Division I shortstop at Utah State, Koons brings hands-on experience, making her a valuable addition to the Talons staff.Currently serving as the head coach at Abilene Christian, Jo Koons brings a strong résumé of player development and team success across multiple Division I programs. Prior to taking over at ACU, she held assistant coaching roles at Oregon, UT Arlington, Longwood, and Stanford, where she helped lead multiple teams to NCAA Regional appearances and top-tier defensive rankings. Koons has mentored all-conference and all-region standouts and has been instrumental in building elite defensive units, including at Oregon, where she contributed to a nationally ranked defense. A former Division I shortstop at Utah State, Koons brings hands-on experience, making her a valuable addition to the Talons staff.

Alex Ibarra will join the Talons coaching staff for one week to open the 2025 season. This role extends Ibarra’s AU Softball resume, as he previously served as a facilitator and batting practice pitcher during the 2023 and 2024 AUX seasons. He offers experience from LSU, where he was part of four NCAA Regional appearances and two Super Regionals. Internationally, Ibarra has represented Team USA as both a pitcher and a coach. He is a two-time gold medalist and threw for the U-23 and Junior Men’s National Teams. He was also a member of the coaching staff that helped the USA Women’s National Team qualify for the 2023 Pan American Games, and his unique athletic and coaching experience will make him a valuable asset to Talons batters and pitchers alike. Alex Ibarra will join the Talons coaching staff for one week to open the 2025 season. This role extends Ibarra’s AU Softball resume, as he previously served as a facilitator and batting practice pitcher during the 2023 and 2024 AUX seasons. He offers experience from LSU, where he was part of four NCAA Regional appearances and two Super Regionals. Internationally, Ibarra has represented Team USA as both a pitcher and a coach. He is a two-time gold medalist and threw for the U-23 and Junior Men’s National Teams. He was also a member of the coaching staff that helped the USA Women’s National Team qualify for the 2023 Pan American Games, and his unique athletic and coaching experience will make him a valuable asset to Talons batters and pitchers alike. Alex Ibarra will join the Talons coaching staff for one week to open the 2025 season. This role extends Ibarra’s AU Softball resume, as he previously served as a facilitator and batting practice pitcher during the 2023 and 2024 AUX seasons. He offers experience from LSU, where he was part of four NCAA Regional appearances and two Super Regionals. Internationally, Ibarra has represented Team USA as both a pitcher and a coach. He is a two-time gold medalist and threw for the U-23 and Junior Men’s National Teams. He was also a member of the coaching staff that helped the USA Women’s National Team qualify for the 2023 Pan American Games, and his unique athletic and coaching experience will make him a valuable asset to Talons batters and pitchers alike.

Will Oldham will fill Ibarra’s position for the remainder of the Talons’ season. Oldham played a key part in the Bruins’ return to the Women’s College World Series in 2024, helping UCLA to a 43-12 finish and Pac-12 regular season and tournament titles. Specializing in data analytics, scouting, and hitting development, he worked closely with All-Americans like Maya Brady and Sharlize Palacios. Oldham’s background includes over a decade of coaching, from high school and travel ball to men’s fastpitch, where he previously played alongside Kirk Walker. His knowledge of advanced metrics and offensive planning will give the Talons a strategic edge on the diamond.Will Oldham will fill Ibarra’s position for the remainder of the Talons’ season. Oldham played a key part in the Bruins’ return to the Women’s College World Series in 2024, helping UCLA to a 43-12 finish and Pac-12 regular season and tournament titles. Specializing in data analytics, scouting, and hitting development, he worked closely with All-Americans like Maya Brady and Sharlize Palacios. Oldham’s background includes over a decade of coaching, from high school and travel ball to men’s fastpitch, where he previously played alongside Kirk Walker. His knowledge of advanced metrics and offensive planning will give the Talons a strategic edge on the diamond.Will Oldham will fill Ibarra’s position for the remainder of the Talons’ season. Oldham played a key part in the Bruins’ return to the Women’s College World Series in 2024, helping UCLA to a 43-12 finish and Pac-12 regular season and tournament titles. Specializing in data analytics, scouting, and hitting development, he worked closely with All-Americans like Maya Brady and Sharlize Palacios. Oldham’s background includes over a decade of coaching, from high school and travel ball to men’s fastpitch, where he previously played alongside Kirk Walker. His knowledge of advanced metrics and offensive planning will give the Talons a strategic edge on the diamond.