Ohio State softball head coach Kirin Kumar announced the hiring of former Tulsa head coach Crissy Strimple to the staff as an assistant coach on Tuesday.
Strimple comes to OSU after a long tenure at the University of Tulsa, where she has been a part of 890 wins in a coaching capacity. All told, she spent 29 total years with the program as an assistant and as the head coach over the last seven years. The program qualified for ten NCAA Tournaments and won six Conference USA and American Athletic Conference championships while she was on staff.
There is some history with Kumar as well. The two worked together at Tulsa from 2008 to 2010 and again in 2016.
“I’ve had the opportunity to coach alongside Crissy, so I know firsthand the kind of coach and person she is,” Kumar said in a statement. “She brings a tremendous work ethic, experience, and a genuine passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the field. She’s an excellent teacher of the game, builds strong relationships with players, and understands what it takes to build a program. Having someone I already know and trust made this an easy decision. She’s aligned with our vision for the program and is committed to helping our athletes reach their full potential. I know she’ll make an immediate impact with our team and be a valuable addition to Ohio State.”
Crissy Strimple’s Coaching Career2026–Present – Ohio State, Assistant Coach2020–26 – Tulsa, Head Coach2012–19 – Tulsa, Associate Head Coach / Recruiting Coordinator2008–11 – Tulsa, Assistant Coach2007 – Central Arkansas, Assistant Coach2005–06 – Arkansas, Director of Softball Operations
Ohio State will be looking to turn the page from a disappointing season last year, one year after leading the country in home runs on the way to making the NCAA Tournament in Kumar’s first season in Columbus in 2025.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State softball announces hiring of assistant coach
Reporting by Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire / Buckeyes Wire
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By Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire | USA TODAY Network
