Pepperdine University Athletics

Jim Lawler, a college baseball veteran of more than 30 years, was Pepperdine's pitching coach for two seasons. He originally joined the staff on an interim basis for the 2020 season, but agreed to stay on staff on for 2021 as well.
 
"I am excited to have Jim join Pepperdine," said Hirtensteiner at the time of Lawler’s hiring. "He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge with over 30 years coaching college baseball. I look forward to Jim coaching and mentoring our talented pitching staff and developing them as baseball players and also as young men."
 
Lawler has a vast history of baseball experience, most recently as the pitching coach for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod League. Former Pepperdine pitchers Easton Lucas (2019) and Ryan Wilson (2018) pitched under Lawler in college baseball's most prestigious summer league.
 
"I am excited about being here and being a part of this staff," said Lawler. "I want to do whatever I can to help this team get better. I am ready to get to know the guys and learn their routines and how they operate. I want to bring a calm presence to the guys and give them the confidence that they can get it done."
 
Prior to coaching on the Cape, Lawler was the head coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. With the Trojans, Lawler had an 84-126 record in four years (2005-08).
 
Before signing on with Little Rock, Lawler was an assistant coach at Texas A&M from 1985-2004 and was named the 2003 National Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Baseball America Magazine. He was the assistant head coach from 1989 until 2004. During his tenure at A&M, the Aggies compiled an 876-433-3 record and made 13 appearances in the NCAA Tournament as well as two appearances in the College World Series (1993, 1999).
 
He was the head coach at Gonzaga in 1979 and 1980, as well as the head coach at Texas-El Paso from 1981-84.
 
Lawler, a native of Carroll, Iowa, graduated from Buena Vista College in Iowa in 1972 and lettered three years as a pitcher. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1972 and played in that organization for one season.
 
Lawler and his wife Trish have two children. Brett was a former assistant baseball coach at the University of Texas in San Antonio and Travis pitched in the Minor Leagues in the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization.