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Softball Coaching Staff

Jerry Breaux, Head Coach

Jerry Breaux

Jerry Breaux begins his 16th season in 2009 as head coach of the Evangel University softball program. Breaux has guided the EU program to national prominence while capturing nine Heart of America Athletic Conference championships, the most of any EU sport team. Breaux and the Crusaders have reeled off five consecutive titles from 2008 to 2004 seasons while winning back to back titles in 1996 and 1997.

Breaux has accumulated a 428-287-2 record in 15 years with Evangel softball while amassing 748 career victories. He has been honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and the Easton Victory Club for milestone victories spanning his coaching career. Along the way, he has picked up five EU coaching honors winning Conference Coach-of-the-Year in 1997, 2001, 2004, 2005, and 2007. In addition, he has also picked up two NAIA Region V Coach of the Year honors in 1997 and 2007.

Read more about Coach Breaux.

Donovan Nelson

Donovan Nelson

Donovan Nelson begins his second year with the Crusader softball program, and his first as the pitching coach. He begins his 14th season coach softball including 6 years as a high school head coach, 6 years as a collegiate assistant, and 2 seasons as a collegiate head coach. His time has included stints in Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri. He also volunteered his time with Wichita State and the University of Arkansas, both division 1 programs.

Coach Nelson has played men’s fastpitch since 1988. He was a catcher/1B for the Northwest Missouri Honda teams that won 2 National Championships (1989, 1992), 1 national runner-up (1990), and 4 Missouri state championships (1989 – 1990, 1992, 1997).

Coach Nelson is an assistant professor of Recreation and Sport Administration. He graduated from Graceland University (’98) with degrees in Athletic Training and Health, Physical Education and from Wichita State (’03) with a master’s degree in Sport Administration. He lives in Springfield with his wife Glynis and sons, Brighton and Rigley.