J. Golden begins his third season as a volunteer assistant baseball coach at Illinois State in 2017-18.

Golden brings experience as both a player and coach to his current role. Golden played professionally in the independent Pecos League, for the Bisbee (Ariz.) Blue, in 2014. He played collegiately at St. Ambrose University, where he was named the Midwest Collegiate Conference Player of the Year and an NAIA All-American in 2014.  

He also played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Black Hawk College, where he set BHC single-season and career records for hits and runs, en route to earning all-conference and All-America accolades.  

Golden played summer baseball for both the Mankato MoonDogs and Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League, as well as the Hannibal Cavemen of the Prospect League.

Golden began his coaching career as an assistant varsity and head junior varsity coach at Central Methodist University in 2015. He most recently served as an infield and hitting coach for the Danville Dans of the Prospect League in the summer of 2015.

Golden earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Ambrose in 2014.