Jay Halbrook enters his twelfth season as the head softball coach at Evangel University, where the tradition-rich program has continued its winning ways.
Last season, the Valor were 44-11, tying the record (2005) for most wins in a season and claiming the highest winning percentage (.800) in program history along with a 20 game win streak. Evangel won the KCAC regular season championship (21-5) as well as the KCAC tournament championship, which was the third consecutive KCAC Tournament Title for Evangel.
The Valor advanced to the national tournament for the third straight year and the 13th time in program history. Evangel finished the season ranked 14th and were 21st in the post-season ranking. The Valor were selected as the KCAC Team of Character in 2025 and 2026.
Halbrook has mentored 167 NFCA Scholar Athletes and 72 NAIA Scholar Athletes during his tenure. He has also seen 5 NAIA All American honors, 1 NFCA All American, and 3 CSC Academic All-American players. There have also been 1 NFCA National Gold Glove, 9 NFCA All Region, and 48 All Conference selections.
Halbrook had spent six seasons as Bolivar High School’s head softball coach compiling 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 and Jamie founded Bolivar’s club softball squad in 2005 and served as their head coach from 2005-12.
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 6 grandchildren.
