​Ohio State softball head coach Kirin Kumar announced on Tuesday the addition of Crissy Strimple to the staff as an assistant coach. Strimple arrives at Ohio State after a lengthy tenure at the University of Tulsa, where she contributed to 890 wins in a coaching capacity. Over the past 29 years with Tulsa, she spent time both as an assistant and, most recently, as the head coach for seven seasons. During her tenure with the program, Tulsa qualified for ten NCAA Tournaments and captured six Conference USA and American Athletic Conference championships, underscoring her impact and leadership as a coach.
There is also notable history between Kumar and Strimple. The two previously collaborated at Tulsa from 2008 to 2010 and again in 2016. In commenting on the hire, Kumar stated, “I’ve had the opportunity to coach alongside Crissy, so I know firsthand the kind of coach and person she is. She brings a tremendous work ethic, experience, and a genuine passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the field. She’s an excellent teacher of the game, builds strong relationships with players, and understands what it takes to build a program. Having someone I already know and trust made this an easy decision. She’s aligned with our vision for the program and is committed to helping our athletes reach their full potential. I know she’ll make an immediate impact with our team and be a valuable addition to Ohio State.”
Crissy Strimple’s Coaching Career spans several roles and programs. From 2026 to the present, she serves as an assistant coach at Ohio State. From 2020 to 2026, she was the head coach at Tulsa, overseeing the program and guiding its competitive efforts. Prior to that, from 2012 to 2019, she was Tulsa’s associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. Her collegiate coaching career also includes stints as an assistant coach at Tulsa from 2008 to 2011, an assistant coach at Central Arkansas in 2007, and the director of softball operations at Arkansas in 2005–06.
Ohio State looks to move forward after a challenging season, hoping to rebound from a year in which the Buckeyes led the nation in home runs and earned an NCAA Tournament berth in Kumar’s first year in Columbus, 2025. The program is intent on turning the page and building upon the success of recent seasons as it welcomes Strimple into the staff to help guide a return to form and continued competitiveness.
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