BECKLEY, W.Va. – WVU Tech Director of Athletics Kenny Howell announced that Kyleigh Jackson has been named head coach of the Golden Bear softball program, removing the interim tag she held during the 2026 season.

Jackson stepped into the role shortly before the start of the 2026 season and guided Tech to a 9-31 overall record and 7-29 mark in River States Conference play. The Golden Bears improved from six overall wins and six conference victories in 2025 while raising their overall winning percentage from .136 to .225.

Tech earned victories over Bluefield University, Defiance College, IU Columbus, Oakland City, Brescia, Shawnee State, Midway and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods during Jackson's first season leading the program. The Golden Bears finished the year with 269 hits and 84 stolen bases. Hailea Skeens led the team with a .441 batting average, while Olivia Barnett recorded a team-high 22 RBIs.

Jackson has also begun building toward the 2027 season. The current roster features nine players who competed for the Golden Bears in 2026 along with eight newcomers.

A former Golden Bear, Jackson played four seasons for WVU Tech from 2021-24 as an infielder and outfielder. She was also a member of the WVU Tech cheerleading program during her time as a student-athlete.

The Hico, West Virginia, native graduated from Midland Trail High School in 2020, where she competed in softball, basketball and cheerleading. Jackson earned All-Coalfield Conference honors in softball in 2019 before continuing her playing career at WVU Tech.

Jackson will lead the Golden Bears into the 2027 season in her first year as the program's permanent head coach.