Jim Tursi took over as the Pioneers head women's soccer coach in the fall of 2010. Tursi is no stranger to Lewis & Clark or the Northwest Conference, spending 15 seasons (1993-2007) as the head coach of the Willamette Bearcats. During his time at Willamette, he led the team to 10 playoff berths, nine NWC championships and three NCAA tournament appearances.

While with the Bearcats, his team reached the NAIA National Tournament during the 1996 season, while earning trips to the NCAA Division III Elite Eight three times (1998, 2000, 2001). His 1998 and 2001 teams both advanced to the Final Four. Tursi finished with 14 winning seasons, including 11 teams with 15 or more wins. He also had nine teams with three or fewer losses.

Tursi finished his career at Willamette with a 237-53-23 (.794) overall record, including a 151-27-15 (.821) conference record. He was named the Conference Coach of the Year on three occasions, picking up the honor in 1993, 1994, and 1997. For his accomplishments with the Bearcats, Tursi was inducted into the Willamette Hall of Fame in 2009.

Prior to taking over at Willamette, Tursi spent three years (1986-1988) coaching at the University of Portland, where he accumulated a 35-17-5 record. He was also named Conference Coach of the Year two times while with the Pilots, coaching five All-Northwest Athletic Conference players. Tursi has the distinct honor of leading the Pilots during their first season as a Division I program.

Tursi was a four-year letter winner for the Pilots, where he is still the all-time leader in goals and assists. He is also the single season leader in points (64) and goals scored (26).