ABILENE — Abilene Christian vice president for athletics, Zack Lassiter, announced Friday that Jo Koons has been tabbed as the head softball coach for the Wildcats. She is the fifth head coach in the program's history and joins ACU from UT Arlington, where she served as an assistant coach.
"Jo has all the tools to connect and lead this generation of student-athletes. What stood out to me during the search process and speaking to others that have known Jo since her days as a Division I student-athlete and coach is her servant's heart," said Lassiter. "She's courageous, loves the Lord, and has an infectious enthusiasm and joy for softball and student-athlete development.
Koons spent the last two seasons at UTA, working primarily with the defense and as the recruiting coordinator. Last season, she helped lead the Mavericks to a fourth-place finish in the 2024 University Credit Union WAC Softball Tournament. Koons coached a pair of All-WAC performers and one all-region selection in 2024.
"I am honored and extremely grateful to Zack for the opportunity to lead the softball program here at Abilene Christian University," said Koons. "When I stepped on campus I instantly fell in love with the Christ-centered community, and the kindness I was shown from the entire athletic department. I couldn't be more excited to get on the field and invest in our student-athletes. We will work to establish a championship culture that is rooted in love and committed to intentionality in everything we do on and off the field. There is so much joy in this journey and I can't wait to share it with the ACU community."
Before joining the UTA staff, Koons was an assistant at Longwood University in Virginia, where she helped guide the Lancers to a Big South Conference championship game appearance. In one season at Longwood, she helped develop LU's Jaden Pone into the 2022 Big South Freshman of the Year. In 2022, Longwood posted a 34-24 overall record and a 21-6 league mark.
Koons came to Longwood from the University of Oregon where she oversaw one of the best defensive units in the country. The Ducks ranked among the top 20 defenses in 2020 and 2021. Oregon finished the 2021 season with 40 wins and a .977 fielding percentage, good for 15th in the country. Koons was also an assistant at Utah State, Colorado Christian and Stanford. She served as the head coach at Lassen College in California in 2018.
A graduate of Utah State, Koons was a four-year letterwinner and shortstop for the Aggies. She hit .269 and compiled a .340 on-base percentage in four seasons.
Koons graduated from Utah State in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies and earned a Master of Arts in organizational leadership from Colorado Christian in 2018.
What they're saying about Jo Koons:
"I am so proud of Jo! She's a leader who puts her student-athletes first and knows how to get the very best out of them on the field and in life. Jo will be a great head coach. I can't wait to see what she does at Abilene Christian!" – Missy Lombardi, head softball coach, University of Oregon
"Jo Koons is passionate about the craft of coaching, and cares even more deeply about the humans she coaches. She'll bring the best out of her players and no doubt inspire a culture of excellence in all facets of the program. Abilene Christian softball is in great hands." – Rachael Hanson, former head softball coach, Stanford University
"ACU hit a home run with Jo. She has a work ethic that is unrivaled, a passion for the game and her players that is evident to all and a knowledge base that continues to grow and evolve with the game. But most importantly is her commitment to her faith and the type of person she is. I said when my daughter was born while Jo played for me that if she grew up to be the person Jo Koons is, I will have succeeded as a father. That passion for the game and her players and her commitment to God and her faith will endear her to her players and the ACU community." – Steve Johnson, former head softball coach, Utah State
"Congratulations to Abilene Christian on an amazing hire! Jo Koons is a passionate christian, relationship builder, competitive spirit, and truly loves the game of softball. With these great qualities she will make a great impact with the team, her peers, and in the community." – Laura Heberling, pitching coach, University of Kansas
"I could not be more excited for Jo to begin her head coaching journey at ACU! She is a tireless worker, great coach and unbelievable human. Her passion for the game and her student-athletes will undoubtedly lead ACU to new heights." – Kara Dill, head coach, UT Arlington
