The Southern Arkansas Athletic department named Jason Anderson as the new head softball coach. Anderson succeeds Corey Lyon, who stepped down for a similar position at the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

Anderson takes over the Lady Mulerider softball program in which they recently secured their first-ever conference championship.

"His coaching record shows that he is one of the best coaches in this region and his knowledge of the game, his tireless work ethic, and strong recruiting abilities will allow him to take our surging softball program to a whole new level," said Steve Browning, SAU's director of athletics, The Cabin reports.

Anderson joins Mulerider community after stints at CBC, North Alabama and Northwestern State of Oklahoma and with an overall career record of 307-73 (.807).

"I know we have a great group of players already in place and I am anxious to get started," said Anderson. "The expectation of the softball program at SAU moving forward will be to have it sustained as a fixture atop of the GAC as well as a national contender," Magnolia reports.

During his five season stint with CBC, Anderson posted an overall record of 226-38 (.856).

The Lady Mustangs made an appearance at the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Tournament in each of his first three seasons and secured the national championship in 2010. The team also advanced to the NAIA National Tournament in 2011 and 2012 and completed the seasons in the top five.

In 2010, Anderson was named the NCCAA National Coach of the Year and earned the Conway Athletic Awards Commission's Marvin Delph Award - Sportsman of the Year.

Prior to CBC, Anderson coached the Lady Lions at the University of North Alabama in 2012. Under the leadership of Anderson, Lady Lions posted the best seasons in the school's history at 40-20.