Rod Austin joined Head Coach Kristin Halte’s staff in 2022, bringing with him over a decade of competitive softball coaching experience. Before Biola, he coached travel ball where he led his teams to multiple PGF quarterfinal appearances. He also works as a real estate agent.
A former collegiate golfer, Austin competed for Cal State Long Beach, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. During his playing career, he qualified for both the U.S. Junior and U.S. Amateur Championships and helped his team capture a conference tournament title.
Prior to CSULB, Austin was a standout golfer at the high school level, earning MVP honors all four years.
In his first four seasons on the Biola bench (2023–2026), the Eagles went 129-95, played in the PacWest Championships every year and reached the NCAA Division II West Regional three times. Highlights include:
- 2026: 42-23 overall and 28-8 in the PacWest (second). The Eagles were runners-up at the PacWest Championships, won the NCAA West Regional at Hayward with a 3-0 run and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional. Kendall Nakano was named PacWest Player of the Year, DJ Symons Pitcher of the Year and Lizzie Byer Freshman of the Year.
- 2025: 39-21 overall and PacWest regular-season champions at 29-7, followed by an NCAA West Regional appearance. Halte was named PacWest Coach of the Year and Nakano PacWest Freshman of the Year.
- 2023: 29-24 and an NCAA West Regional appearance.
Austin is from Huntington Beach, California, and is married with two children. His wife's name is Kristine and they have two daughters, Brittney and Paige. Paige is a Biola Softball alumna and a former Biola Softball assistant coach.
Austin enjoys golf in his free time. His favorite Bible verse is John 3:16, and he chose to join Biola because he “wanted to be a part of this great university.”
