Walters Receives Two-Year Contract Extension Through 2027

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison Director of Athletics Matt Roan announced a two-year contract extension running through the 2027 season for women's soccer Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.

"JMU women's soccer is poised to be an elite-level program, coming off back-to-back NCAA appearances and its first Sun Belt tournament title," Roan said. "Josh has methodically built this program to match his style to the institution and we're witnessing the fruit of that progression. We're thrilled for him to continue leading and elevating the program."

"JMU is one of the best college athletic departments in the country, and I am honored to continue as the women's soccer head coach," Walters said. "In this transformative time for all NCAA schools, JMU continues to strategically place itself in such a good spot for future success. Thank you to President Charlie King and AD Matt Roan for their confidence in my staff, my family and myself. Go Dukes!"

In seven seasons leading the program (2018-24), Walters, Sr. is 63-45-23 with consecutive berths in the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship in 2023 and 2024 and a Sun Belt Conference championship this past season.

The Dukes have reached the tournament final in all three seasons as a member of the Sun Belt, and the program has played in a conference title game in five of his seven campaigns, having also done so during his first two seasons while a member of the Colonial Athletic Association.

This past season, JMU finished with a 12-4-5 record, including an 8-0-2 mark in league play to claim a regular-season title on its way to winning the 2024 tournament crown. It was the first time in program history it won both the regular-season and tournament championships in the same season.

During his tenure with the Dukes, he's coached nine players to All-Region honors and 26 athletes to all-conference accolades, including a pair of Sun Belt players of the year. He's also the reigning Sun Belt Coach of the Year entering the 2025 campaign and was previously voted CAA Coach of the Year in his first year in 2018. Additionally, Walters, Sr. won the 2013 national championship while serving on the coaching staff at UCLA.

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