Coach Jim Briggs

Jim Briggs brings energy, experience, and just the right amount of sarcasm to the NEA Wildcats coaching staff. Now in his third season with the program, Jim has spent the past seven years coaching his kids across multiple sports and is no stranger to high-pressure baseball—having coached a Salem Little League team all the way to the Little League World Series. Even better, he had the chance to do it alongside his son, a memory he says will never be topped.

Little League Baseball certified, Jim lives by the philosophy: practice and prepare hard so the game comes easy. He’s a firm believer that there are no shortcuts—put in the time, trust the process, and results will follow. His approach centers on teamwork and effort, reminding players that contributions come in many forms. Whether it’s a four-hit game or an 0-for day, how you show up for your teammates matters just as much.

Jim also emphasizes real-life lessons through sports. Baseball, in his view, is the perfect classroom for learning how to handle adversity, solve problems, and move on when things don’t go your way. As he likes to say, a rising tide lifts all boats—and if everyone commits to working hard together, success tends to follow.

When he’s not coaching baseball, Jim also coaches basketball, spends time with his two kids in the program, and takes plenty of long walks with his dog. Fun fact: he may—or may not—hold the title for most tattoos in the program.