Eastern Oregon University Athletics

Head Coach | 7th Season | 175-104 (.593)

Nicole Christian enters her seventh season as head coach of Eastern Oregon University softball for the 2025-2026 season, having transformed the Mountaineers into one of the NAIA’s premier programs since taking over in 2019. Under her leadership, EOU earned a third-place national finish in 2025 and was recognized as the NAIA West Regional Coaching Staff of the Year in both 2023 and 2025. The Mountaineers have also captured back-to-back Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Tournament Championships.

During her tenure, Christian has guided EOU to multiple 30+ win seasons, including a 39-10 record in 2024 and a 43-17 mark in 2022. The Mountaineers have consistently ranked among the NAIA Top 25, reaching as high as No. 10 nationally in 2024 while earning the program’s first-ever No. 1 seed in the NAIA National Championships. Her players have collected numerous All-Conference and All-America honors, highlighted by pitcher Kaylie Hoskins earning CCC Pitcher of the Year and First-Team All-American recognition.

Before returning to her alma mater, Christian built a powerhouse at McLoughlin High School (Mac-Hi) from 2008 to 2018, leading the program to nine straight state tournament appearances, four consecutive state title games, and back-to-back state championships in 2014 and 2015. Her 2014 and 2015 teams will be inducted into the Mac-Hi Athletics Hall of Fame in September 2025. She also previously coached at Umatilla High School (2005–08) and at Blue Mountain Community College (2003–05).

A two-time All-American during her collegiate playing career at EOU (1996–2000), Christian was the 1999 Cascade Conference Softball Player of the Year and a member of Mountaineer teams that finished fourth and fifth nationally in 1999 and 2000. She was inducted into the EOU Hall of Fame with the 1999 team in 2011 and as an individual in 2013.

Christian earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Health from EOU in 2011. A native of Milton-Freewater, Oregon, she resides in La Grande, where she enjoys spending time outdoors fishing, camping, and traveling.