The Official Site of Louisiana State University Eunice Bengal Athletics

jwillis@lsue.edu

Jeff Willis is beginning his seventh season as head coach of the Bengal baseball team and fifth year as Athletic Director.  The Bengal coach holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock and a master’s degree in Health and Kinesiology from Texas A&M University at Kingsville.  In five seasons at LSUE he has compiled a 275-80 record and has never finished ranked lower than 7^th in the country. During his tenure as the Bengal coach he has received four ABCA Diamond Regional Coach of the Year Awards, four NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year Awards, three NJCAA Central District Coach of the Year Awards, a Louisville Slugger Coach of the Year Award, and two NJCAA National Coach of the Year Awards. Willis has also coached the NJCAA All-Star Team in the summer competing against the Chinese Taipai National Team.

The 2008 season saw the Bengal team capture a second National Championship in the last three years finishing with a 52-12 record. The 2007 season saw the Bengal team finish 44-14 and a regional tournament appearance after holding the #1 National Ranking every week except for one week when they fell to #2. The 2006 season saw the Bengal team capture the National Championship en route to a 52-11 record. The 2004 team posted a 51-13 record and a 3^rd place finish at the JUCO World Series. In six years, Willis has led the Bengals to 4 Regional Championships, 3 District Championships, and 3 World Series. Also, every team record has been broken under the leadership of Willis. 

During the past 6 years Coach Willis has seen 56 of his players move on to four year universities. Willis has had the opportunity in the last five years to coach and/or sign 20 players who have been drafted by Major League Baseball.  During the same period he has coached 39 all-conference and/or all-region players, and 6 All-Americans.  

Willis played two years as an infielder for the Division I, UALR Trojans after playing junior college baseball.  During his two years at UALR, the Trojans qualified for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament both years and saw the team set a school record for victories in a season. 

Willis states, “I focus on skill-building drills that emphasize video analysis so players and coaches can work together in skill development.  Also, I set high standards for student athletes on and off the field and expect them to do their best in their academics and in their citizenship as members of the campus and community.”

Willis attended Dumas High School in Dumas, TX, where he was a Mizuno High School All-American baseball player, All-State Wrestler, and All-District Football player.  The Bengal coach, wife, Lindsey, and daughter Ali reside in Eunice.

            University of Arkansas at Little Rock, B.S. Health Sciences

Texas A&M University at Kingsville, M.S. Health & Kinesiology

2000-2002       Assistant Coach, Texas A&M University at Kingsville

2002-present   Head Coach, Louisiana State University at Eunice

Athletic Director Experience

            2004-present   Louisiana State University at Eunice

2003 ABCA Diamond Regional Coach of the Year

2003 NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year

2004 ABCA Diamond Regional Coach of the Year

2004 NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year

2004 NJCAA Central District Coach of the Year

2004 Louisville Slugger Coach of the Year, Central District

2006 ABCA Diamond Regional Coach of the Year

2006 NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year

2006 NJCAA Southeast District Coach of the Year

2006 NJCAA National Coach of the Year

2007 NJCAA All-Star Assistant Coach

2008 ABCA Diamond Regional Coach of the Year

2008 NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year

2008 NJCAA Southeast District Coach of the Year

2008 NJCAA National Coach of the Year

2008 NJCAA All-Star Assistant Coach