Bio

Josh Austin was hired as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Williams Baptist at the beginning of the 2011-12 season.  He is currently the longest tenured head coach at WBU.

The Eagles finished 13-13 overall in 2023-24.  WBU had the AMC Freshman of the Year, as well as players on all three AMC All-Conference Teams.   

In 2022-23, WBU finished 15-10 overall and 10-6 in conference play to finish in fourth place.  One Eagle was named to the AMC All-Conference First Team, and one was named to the AMC All-Conference Third Team.  TJ Clardy was named to the AMC All-Defensive Team.

Austin led the Eagles to a 15-12 finish in 2021-22, highlighted by a 5-0 start to the year.  One Eagle was named to the AMC All-Conference Second Team.

In 2020-21, Austin coached one Eagle to the AMC All-Conference First Team, one to the AMC All-Conference Second Team, and one to the AMC All-Freshman Team.  The Eagles finished 8-11 overall.

The 2019-20 season was also highlighted by two ranked wins, including defeating No. 23 Park in the AMC Tournament Quarterfinals 84-79.  The Eagles finished 14-14 on the season, and placed one player on the AMC All-Conference Second Team.

The 2018-19 season was highlighted by two ranked wins, with the Eagles defeating No. 23 Central Baptist 65-56 and No. 3 Missouri Baptist 75-67.  The Eagles placed one player on the AMC All-Freshman Team and had one AMC All-Conference Third Team selection.

In 2017-18, Austin led the Eagles to the AMC Championship game for the first time in school history.  Shackeel Butters was named an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American, and the Eagles had one player on the AMC All-Defensive Team.

In 2016-17, Austin coached one Eagle to the AMC All-Conference Third Team, and two to the AMC Academic All-Conference Team.  The season was highlighted by a 70-67 win over No. 3 Columbia on the road.

In 2015-16, the Eagles finished 15-11 overall with a 13-9 record in the AMC.  Tevin Howard earned another NAIA All-American Honorable Mention, and landed on the AMC All-Conference Second Team.

In 2014-15, Austin carried the Eagles to an 18-10 overall record and a 16-6 record in the AMC, breaking the school record for the most conference wins in a season.  The team made a run to the semi-finals of the AMC Tournament.  James McClain earned an Honorable Mention All-American title, and was named to the AMC All-Conference First Team.  Tevin Howard was named to the AMC All-Conference Second Team, and two were placed on the AMC Academic All-Conference Team.

The Eagles won 15 games under Austin in 2013-14.  James McClain was named an Honorable Mention NAIA All-American, and was named to the AMC All-Conference First Team.  One eagle was named to the AMC All-Conference Second Team, and one was named as an AMC All-Conference Honorable Mention.

In 2012-13, Austin powered the Eagles to a 19-12 overall record, finishing in a fourth place tie in the AMC standings.  Kyle Harvey was named an Honorable Mention NAIA All-American, AMC Player of the Year, and AMC All-Conference First team.  One Eagle was named to the AMC Academic All-Conference Team.

In his first year at Williams, Austin coached one Eagle to AMC First Team All-Conference honors.

Prior to his time in Walnut Ridge, Austin was the head coach at Central Baptist College, where he won 80 games as head coach between 2005 and 2010.  He was inducted into CBC’s Hall of Fame for his work in 2013.

Austin received his Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education from the University of Central Arkansas in 2005.  He went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University in 2011.

He and his wife Rachel reside in Walnut Ridge with their two daughters.