James Farnum begins his 10th season as Olivet's head softball coach in 2014.

Under Farnum's leadership, the Comets have compiled a 159-147 overall record, including a school-record 24 wins in 2006. In addition, he became Olivet’s winningest softball coach in 2007. The Comets finished the 2009 season with 23 wins.

Prior to being promoted to head coach in 2003, Farnum was an assistant coach for the Comets for two seasons. His other coaching experience is as an assistant softball and football coach at Alma College. During his tenure at Alma, the softball team won five Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships and advanced to the NCAA Division III World Series three times (1994, 1999 and 2000). In addition, the Scots were twice named the Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year (1999 and 2000).

A 1993 graduate of Alma, Farnum was a four-year letterwinner on the football team. He resides in Lansing with wife, Tammy. They have three children, Kate, Jackson and the late Adalin. Adalin passed way in Oct. 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer.