08-27-2012, 05:01 PM
LAFAYETTE – Ragin’ Cajuns softball head coach Michael Lotief announced two additions to the program’s staff on Saturday, naming Joshua Johnson as the program’s second assistant coach and Katie Smith as director of operations.
The hirings are pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.
Johnson previously completed a three-year stint as head coach at Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette, Ala., where he led the Sun Chiefs to a 119-59 record and the school’s first state championship appearance.
He is also a member of the U.S. Men’s National Professional Fastpitch Softball Team, playing centerfield and pitcher.
“Josh is going to expand our recruiting footprint. He is going to recruit mainly in the Georgia, Alabama and Florida region, and occasionally venture out to the West coast,” Lotief said. “Utilizing his fastpitch background, he will be able to handle all of the scouting reports and video breakdown.
“Coming from a Division II Junior College, Josh has a lot to learn making the jump to Division I softball. It will be a great experience for him and we are confident he will be able to get the job done.”
While Johnson is the “newest” member of the Cajuns program, Smith is a familiar face.
Smith, whose responsibilities are as the program’s director of operations and marketing, was a member of the Cajuns from 2008-12, and earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing last December. The Ruston, La., native set the single-season record for batting average hitting .447 last season, earning her Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American honors.
“Katie is a familiar face in our softball program,” Lotief mentioned. “She earned her degree in marketing and will assist us with sponsorships, ticket sales and business administrative duties.”
Johnson and Smith join Lotief and returning assistant coach Joy Webre-LeBlanc on the Cajuns staff for the 2012-13 season.
Lotief begins his first year as the head coach having compiled a record of 500-122 (.794) over a 10-year span as co-head coach with his wife, Stefni Lotief, who recently stepped aside as co-head coach in order to spend more time with her family.
Webre-Leblanc returns for her fourth year with the Cajuns and works primarily with the pitchers and catchers, including the development of sophomore pitcher Jordan Wallace, who set an NCAA mark with a record of 23-0 start last season.
“The pursuit of excellence on the field and in the classroom, as well as our involvement in this community remains the mission of this staff,” Lotief noted. “We are all committed to doing things the Ragin’ Cajuns way. Hard work, daily improvement and teamwork are values that we will compete by.”
Louisiana is coming off one of the more successful seasons in program history. The Cajuns finished the 2012 season with a record of 53-6, won a regional title at Lamson Park and came within one victory of reaching the Women’s College World Series
The hirings are pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.
Johnson previously completed a three-year stint as head coach at Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette, Ala., where he led the Sun Chiefs to a 119-59 record and the school’s first state championship appearance.
He is also a member of the U.S. Men’s National Professional Fastpitch Softball Team, playing centerfield and pitcher.
“Josh is going to expand our recruiting footprint. He is going to recruit mainly in the Georgia, Alabama and Florida region, and occasionally venture out to the West coast,” Lotief said. “Utilizing his fastpitch background, he will be able to handle all of the scouting reports and video breakdown.
“Coming from a Division II Junior College, Josh has a lot to learn making the jump to Division I softball. It will be a great experience for him and we are confident he will be able to get the job done.”
While Johnson is the “newest” member of the Cajuns program, Smith is a familiar face.
Smith, whose responsibilities are as the program’s director of operations and marketing, was a member of the Cajuns from 2008-12, and earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing last December. The Ruston, La., native set the single-season record for batting average hitting .447 last season, earning her Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American honors.
“Katie is a familiar face in our softball program,” Lotief mentioned. “She earned her degree in marketing and will assist us with sponsorships, ticket sales and business administrative duties.”
Johnson and Smith join Lotief and returning assistant coach Joy Webre-LeBlanc on the Cajuns staff for the 2012-13 season.
Lotief begins his first year as the head coach having compiled a record of 500-122 (.794) over a 10-year span as co-head coach with his wife, Stefni Lotief, who recently stepped aside as co-head coach in order to spend more time with her family.
Webre-Leblanc returns for her fourth year with the Cajuns and works primarily with the pitchers and catchers, including the development of sophomore pitcher Jordan Wallace, who set an NCAA mark with a record of 23-0 start last season.
“The pursuit of excellence on the field and in the classroom, as well as our involvement in this community remains the mission of this staff,” Lotief noted. “We are all committed to doing things the Ragin’ Cajuns way. Hard work, daily improvement and teamwork are values that we will compete by.”
Louisiana is coming off one of the more successful seasons in program history. The Cajuns finished the 2012 season with a record of 53-6, won a regional title at Lamson Park and came within one victory of reaching the Women’s College World Series