Bo and Sam Coolen are ready for their third years as the co-head coaches for Grace's softball program for the 2023-24 school year.
During their first seasons, the duo led the Lady Lancers to their most Crossroads League wins since 2017. Three members of Grace's team were named to the All-League Team and six earned Scholar-Athlete distinction. A highlight of Grace's season was an upset of No. 17 Marian on the final day of the regular season.
The Coolens have also led Grace to consecutive seasons with double-digit conference victories (2022, 2023); it's just the fifth time in program history to achieve that distinction.
The Coolens are migrating from Westcliff University, an NAIA school in Irvine, Calif. Bo served as the associate head coach for Westcliff’s baseball team, and Sam was the associate head coach for Westcliff softball.
“We are very excited for Bo and Sam to join our family at Grace. They have a desire to impact lives for Christ through their coaching while building a strong culture of excellence,” said Grace Director of Athletics Chad Briscoe. “Their extensive background and experience at the NAIA level will serve them well as they take over at Grace. We look forward to their leadership and impact both on and off the field as they lead the program.”
The duo boast a distinguished softball lineage. Bo is the son of Bob Coolen, who has been the softball head coach at the University of Hawaii for 30 years.
Bo enjoyed tremendous success collegiately as a baseball player, first signing to play at Pepperdine University before later transferring to Ohio State. Bo played two seasons as a Buckeye, was a two-time Scholar-Athlete and helped the team to the East Carolina Regional.
Bo was an assistant baseball coach at Vanguard University after graduating from Ohio State. For the past two years he has been the senior associate head coach for Westcliff’s baseball squad. In his first season he helped lead the Warriors to a 19-8 record before COVID cut the year short.
“Sam and I are extremely blessed that God has given us this opportunity, and we are excited to join the Grace College family,” Bo said. “We are looking forward to leading Grace softball and would like to thank Grace's administration and Coach Briscoe for having faith in us. We are excited to call Winona Lake our new home and are ready to get to work!”
The Coolens will assume guidance of the Lady Lancers, who compete in the Crossroads League. Grace just concluded its fourth full season at the renovated Coach Phil Dick Field.
