PINE BLUFF, AR – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff released Lady Lion head softball coach Jalana Brown on Monday and named Tim Munn as her successor, according to UAPB Athletic Director Louis “Skip” Perkins.
Brown, who was 3-38 in her lone season as the coach of the Lady Lions' softball program, was 3-14 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference's Western Division. UAPB failed to make the conference's post-season tournament this year after making its first ever appearance last season.
“Coach Brown certainly dedicated a lot of time and effort into the program,” Perkins said. “However, it is clear that the softball program needs to be taken in a new direction and that's why the change was made at this time.”
Munn, a Pine Bluff native and former assistant softball coach with Division II Arkansas-Monticello, is currently the Sports Information Director at UAPB. According to Perkins, Munn will continue to serve in that capacity, along with his softball duties.
While at UAM from 2004-'06, Munn helped guide the Cotton Blossoms to the 2004 Gulf South Conference-Western Division title and three trips to the GSC post-season tournament. UAM won 103 regular season and 52 conference games during Munn's time in Monticello.
He also coached three DII All-Americans and numerous all-conference players during his three-year stint.
“I'm excited about this opportunity,” Munn said. “I want to thank Chancellor (Lawrence) Davis and Athletic Director Skip Perkins for this chance. Recruiting is our main priority and we need players. There's no reason for a softball player from Arkansas to leave and go to another SWAC school. My main goal will be to keep Arkansas kids here in state.
“During my time at UAM we were a perfect 11-0 against teams from the SWAC, including wins against MississippiValleyState, Grambling and UAPB. I know the talent we need to compete in the SWAC and that's what we'll be looking for. There are several local kids in Southeast and Central Arkansas, along with a handful of junior college players, that we've already targeted and we will aggressively recruit them to the last possible moment.”
