Jay Halbrook enters his tenth season as the head softball coach at Evangel University, where he has continued the winning ways of the tradition-rich program.
In 2024, he led the Valor to a 37-9 record, setting a single-season record for winning percentage and the third most wins in program history. Evangel swept the KCAC regular season and tournament championships in the school’s first season in the new conference. The Valor earned a spot in the NAIA national tournament for the first time since 2008 and the 11th in program history.
During his tenure as head coach, he has mentored 130 NFCA Scholar-Athletes and 51 NAIA Scholar Athletes. The Valor have produced a pair of All-American’s with Megan Washam earning honors in 2016 and Ali Raley being named an All-American in 2021.
Also, seven players have earned NFCA All-Region honors under Halbrook while there have also been 33 all-conference selections.
Prior to his time at Evangel, Halbrook was the head softball coach for Star and Stripes All-American squad and spent six seasons at Bolivar high school where he compiled a 110-63 record. His teams won five Central Ozark Conference championships, two district championships and had one state quarterfinal appearance.
His arrival to Evangel marked a return to the Evangel coaching staff as he served the baseball program as an assistant coach from 2002 to 2006. He founded Bolivar’s club softball squad in 2005 and served as their head coach from 2005-12.
In addition to his stint at Evangel, Halbrook has coached baseball with legendary coach and instructor Dick Birmingham and was the varsity baseball coach for the Bolivar American Legion program from 1998-2002, compiling a 170-85 record.
Halbrook graduated from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar with a degree in Psychology.
He resides in Pleasant Hope with his wife Jamie, they have 4 daughters and 5 grandchildren.
