LA Tech extends softball coach Josh Taylor’s contract

RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech VP and Director of Athletics Eric Wood announced today that the University has extended the contract of head softball coach Josh Taylor for an additional year.

The contract extension is pending approval by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

Taylor, who just completed the first year of a five-year contract, led the Lady Techsters to a 39-20 record and the Conference USA regular season title during his first full season in Ruston.

With the additional year, Taylor is now under contract through the 2026-27 season.

“We felt strongly when we hired Josh last June that we had made a move that would quickly benefit our softball program,” said Wood. “We told him our expectation was to get the program back to a championship caliber level. However, winning the Conference USA title in his first year exceeded even my wildest expectations.

“It’s a tribute to Josh and the people who he surrounded himself with during this year. And it’s a tribute to his ability to relate to our softball student-athletes and get them pulling in the same direction. He has created a culture where our young ladies can thrive; one which is very appealing to prospective student-athletes. We are serious about winning at a high level for years to come.”

Despite coming off a 22-30 season in 2021 and being picked to finish seventh in the C-USA preseason coaches poll, Taylor guided the Lady Techsters to an 18-6 league record, including 11 straight conference wins to end the year.

“From the moment I walked onto Tech’s campus, met with Dr. Wood, Malcolm Butler and all the staff I knew this was a place we could win,” said Taylor. “The facilities are first rate and provide our student athletes with every opportunity to be successful in and off the field.

Taylor was named the Conference USA Coach of the Year, joining Mark Montgomery (2019) as the only two Tech softball coaches to earn the league’s highest honor.

“After year one, my staff and I feel we have this program heading in the right direction and are excited about a bright future,” said Taylor. “I do believe that both Shelby Hiers and Chelsea Cohen are two of the best young coaches in college softball and possess the drive and knowledge to help build a consistent championship caliber program.

“Louisiana Tech provides a first-class education with first class facilities. The community has embraced us since the moment we moved to Ruston. I couldn’t be more excited about the future of this program and couldn’t be prouder to be the Louisiana Tech coach.”

Tech saw six student-athletes named to the all-Conference USA team, the second most in program history, while freshman Sierra Sacco was named C-USA Freshman of the Year. Sacco was also one of 10 finalists for the Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I Freshman of the Year award.

Off the field, Tech saw 12 student-athletes earn Easton/NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete honors while Lindsay Edwards was named to the C-USA Softball All-Academic Team.