The American Baseball Coaches Association membership has affirmed the recommendation of the ABCA Nominating Committee to elect Jeff Willis, Head Coach and Athletic Director at LSU Eunice, to fill the current vacancy in the office of Fourth Vice President.
The vacancy was created following the unexpected passing of ABCA Fourth Vice President Rob Hahne. In accordance with the Association's Bylaws, the ABCA Nominating Committee recommended Willis to serve the remainder of the current term and maintain continuity within the Association's officer succession structure. The ABCA Nominating Committee recommended Willis to fill the vacancy, and the recommendation received approval from the ABCA Board of Directors during its June Board Meetings in Omaha. The recommendation was then presented to the membership through a special election, which concluded on Monday, July 6.
Willis will serve as ABCA Fourth Vice President through the conclusion of the 2027 ABCA Convention. In accordance with the Association's established officer succession process, he will then advance annually through the officer ranks.
A 24-year ABCA member, Willis currently serves as Chair of the Junior College Division on the ABCA Executive Committee and as President of the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association.
In 24 seasons as head coach at LSU Eunice, Willis has guided the Bengals to eight NJCAA National Championships, 11 JUCO World Series appearances, 13 Region Championships, and more than 1,100 career victories. He has also served as LSU Eunice's Athletic Director since 2004.
Beyond his accomplishments on the field, Willis has been a longtime leader within the coaching profession, serving on the NJCAA Coaches Association Executive Committee, as chairman of the NJCAA All-American Committee, as Assistant Regional Director for NJCAA Region XXIII, and as both a head coach and assistant coach for NJCAA National Teams.
Willis is a member of both the ABCA Hall of Fame and the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. During his coaching career, he has earned 12 ABCA Regional Coach of the Year honors, eight ABCA National Coach of the Year awards, and is the only two-time recipient of the Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year Award. He was also the inaugural recipient of the Walter Hauck Award, recognizing dedication, service, and commitment to the NJCAA.
As previously announced, ABCA members will still receive the Association's annual Fourth Vice President election ballot in August to elect the individual who will assume the office of Fourth Vice President at the conclusion of the 2027 ABCA Convention.