Jason Townsend joined the Albany State University baseball coaching staff in January 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the program. He serves as the pitching coach for the Golden Rams.
In his second season with the team in 2025, Townsend played a key role in leading the Golden Rams to the conference championship and achieving the program's first-ever NCAA regional victory in Tampa, Florida. That same season, Albany State marked a historic regular-season win against the University of Tampa, the top-ranked team in the nation at the time—an achievement that highlighted the program's growth and competitiveness.
Before transitioning to coaching, Townsend spent five seasons in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, where he faced elite competition and demonstrated his ability to perform at a professional level. Throughout his minor league career, he appeared in 149 games, recording 14 wins, 10 losses, 27 saves, a 3.59 ERA, and 161 strikeouts over 215.1 innings pitched. Renowned for his velocity, Townsend reached speeds of up to 97 mph before an arm injury forced him to retire from professional baseball.
Following his successful stint at Chipola College, Townsend transferred to the University of Alabama and joined the Crimson Tide pitching staff as a hard-throwing right-hander. His collegiate career further showcased his ability to compete at the highest level, earning him recognition that ultimately led to his selection by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 31st round of the 2010 MLB Draft.
At Chipola, Townsend recorded an 11-5 (.688) record and a 4.47 ERA over two seasons, making 28 appearances, including 20 starts. He pitched 104.2 innings, recording 96 strikeouts and added two complete games. His contributions helped Chipola achieve 71 wins and back-to-back appearances in the NJCAA World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado. In his freshman year in 2008, he posted a 7-3 record with a 4.57 ERA, while in 2009, as a sophomore, he finished with a 4-2 record and a 4.32 ERA, holding opponents to a .225 batting average.
Townsend is a 2007 graduate of Sherwood Christian Academy, where he was named Region III Player of the Year and earned All-State honors twice, along with three All-Region selections. A standout multi-sport athlete, he excelled in both football and baseball before continuing his career at Chipola Junior College under the legendary Coach Jeff Johnson.
A native of Albany, Georgia, Townsend's journey in baseball reflects his dedication and passion for the sport, and his strong ties to the local community make him a valuable addition to the Golden Rams family.
