Lady Wave Softball Coach Staff

Jeremy Harper - Head Coach at Ponchatoula Lady Wave Softball

With a coaching career spanning over 25 years, Coach Harper brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the field. Starting in 1999 as a baseball and football coach at Springfield High School, Coach Harper quickly established himself as a committed and passionate coach. After seven years at Springfield, he transitioned to Ponchatoula High School in 2006, where he served as the assistant baseball and football coach for several years. In 2014, he honed his focus on baseball as an assistant coach before making a pivotal shift to softball in the fall of 2017, taking on the role of assistant coach in charge of pitchers.

Since the fall of 2019, Coach Harper has been leading the Ponchatoula High School softball program as the head coach, where his impact has been profound. Under his leadership, the team has amassed an impressive record of 97 wins and 49 losses. Coach Harper’s commitment to developing a year-round program that includes weights, conditioning, and fundraising has not only strengthened the team’s performance but also its unity and discipline.

One of Coach Harper’s most notable contributions is the creation of Impact Fridays, an initiative designed to help athletes grow as individuals both on and off the field. His dedication to his players’ holistic development has earned him significant recognition, including being named District 6-5A Coach of the Year in both 2023 and 2024. Under his leadership, the Lady Wave achieved back-to-back district championships in 2023 and 2024, marking the first time in the program's history that they secured consecutive titles.

In 2024, Lady Wave Softball was the LHSAA Division 1 Non-Select State Runner-Up, and he was honored as the LSCA 5A Co-Coach of the Year. Academically, Coach Harper’s influence is equally impressive. In 2023, the NCFA recognized the Lady Wave as having the highest GPA in the state and the 12th highest in the nation. His commitment to excellence extends beyond the high school level, as he has also mentored the Lady Pirate Jr High Feeder program to help grow softball in the area.

Coach Harper’s achievements continue to garner attention, with his role as a 2024 NFCA High School Steering Committee member further cementing his reputation as a top-tier coach. Additionally, in his five years as head coach, eight of his players have gone on to play college softball, a testament to his ability to develop talent and prepare athletes for the next level.