Jessica Hollen is joining the Linfield University staff as assistant director of athletics, NCAA compliance coordinator and senior woman administrator. New director of athletics Scott Brosius announced the appointment on Thursday, noting that she will start her new position officially on July 1.
"We are absolutely thrilled to have Jessica join us at Linfield," said Brosius. "Her background as a softball coach, compliance coordinator and senior woman administrator make her a perfect fit for the position.
A standout softball coach at nearby George Fox University for 16 seasons, Hollen is making the transition to a full-time administrative role at Linfield.
"I am excited about the opportunity for growth at Linfield," she said. "Scott is giving me an opportunity to move into administration in a larger role than I previously have had and I feel as though the timing is great."
Though unprecedented, the move to Linfield from Yamhill County rival George Fox is intriguing to Hollen.
"Linfield Athletics has a solid history of success and is currently in a situation where impactful growth can occur. There is great energy and vision for an even brighter future, and I am excited to be able to be a part of that. Scott is a great hire and I believe his vision for success can be something I can help implement by supporting the department in the day-to-day operations."
Only a month into his new role as Linfield director of athletics, Brosius has been busy filling out his administrative staff.
"I'm confident Jessica is going to prove invaluable as a member of administrative team," he said. "She will help strengthen our internal operations, the Athletics Hall of Fame banquet, the Wildcat Open and the annual CATSPYs year-end awards program. Her tremendous organizational skills are going to enable Athletics to fully function as a cohesive department."
During portions of her tenure at George Fox, she served as the athletic department's NCAA compliance officer and senior woman administrator.
Hollen is a four-time NWC Coach of the Year, receiving the honor following stellar seasons by the Bruins in 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2021. She compiled an overall record of 350-286 while leading the Bruins to a share of the program's first NWC championship in 2021.
In 2009, she took over a softball program that finished 3-29-1 the season prior and hadn't posted a winning record since 2001. Hollen eventually led the Bruins to a pair of NCAA Division III regional playoff berths in 2016 and 2021 and nine NWC Tournament appearances.
Hollen began her softball career as a player at North Salem High School where she first took an interest in coaching. She assisted her high school pitching coach with private lessons by working with the younger pitchers. In college, she played for a season at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, then transferred to Chemeketa Community College in Salem where she earned Junior College All-America honors as a sophomore.
Hollen's coaching career began in 2004 with a year as an assistant softball coach at Chemeketa. She served as the varsity softball coach at Stayton High School while completing a bachelor's degree in history at Western Oregon University in 2006. The following spring, she returned to Chemeketa as co-head softball coach.
Hollen attended Willamette University College of Law and spent a year as a law clerk with the Marion County District Attorney's office before deciding to return to coaching when the George Fox position became available.
Jessica is married to former Corban University baseball player John Hollen, who has served alongside her as an assistant on the Bruins softball coaching staff.
The Hollens live in Newberg where they are raising two daughters, Riley and Kinley.
