DURHAM, N.C. – Kyrin Walker has joined new head coach Ricky Holden's staff as assistant softball coach at North Carolina Central.
Holden is quite familiar with Walker, having coached against her in the Division II CIAA over the past several seasons. Both coaches are coming off successful seasons.
This past spring, Holden directed Claflin to a division title on the way to the CIAA championship, while Walker led Fayetteville State to a second-place finish in the same division.
Holden saw Walker's team up close in several matchups between the two programs.
"Having competed against Kyrin during my time in the CIAA, I had the opportunity to see firsthand the type of coach she is and the standard she brings to her program," Holden said. "I was always very impressed with the way her teams played, their preparation, and her coaching style. When the opportunity came to bring her to North Carolina Central, it was an easy decision."
Walker's Fayetteville State teams were 47-31 in the CIAA from 2021 to 2026, including an 11-5 mark this past season. The Broncos reached the CIAA Tournament in each of her five seasons.
Walker spent two seasons as assistant coach at her alma mater before being elevated to head coach. Her other coaching experience came at Midlothian (Va.) High School where she was the junior varsity head coach and assistant varsity coach in 2019.
A native of Carthage, N.C., Walker brings extensive pitching expertise to NCCU. A standout hurler at Fayetteville State, she garnered all-conference and all-tournament honors in 2017, the year she graduated with a psychology degree. She later became certified as an NFCA pitching instructor.
This past season, one of Walker's pitchers, Tamarah Lowery, was selected to the 2026 CIAA All-Tournament team after striking out 19 batters in two games.
"Kyrin is a great fit for what we are building here, and I'm excited to have her on our staff," Holden said. "Her pitching knowledge, experience in the CIAA, and ability to develop student-athletes will be a tremendous asset to our program."
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
