From Northwest Florida State College
Andy Lee, a six-time national champion and three-time national coach of the year, has been named the next head softball coach at Northwest Florida State College, Athletic Director Ramsey Ross announced Wednesday afternoon.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Andy Lee into the Raider Family,” said Ross. “It was imperative during the search process that we identified someone who had proven the ability to win on the big stage. Coach Lee not only has exceeded that criteria, but has done so while consistently graduating his players at a high rate and creating a positive culture that the players gravitate towards. We are incredibly confident he will incorporate those qualities into our program, and we cannot wait to see them take the field next year.”
Lee comes to Niceville with over a decade of collegiate head coaching experience and a combined record of 674-172 (.797 winning percentage), including stints at the helm of LSU Eunice and Hinds Community College.
In his 11 seasons as the head coach at LSU-Eunice, Lee was instrumental in turning the Bengals’ softball program into a perennial powerhouse. Under Lee’s command, the Bengals have made 11 NJCAA Region 23 Tournaments, nine NJCAA National Tournaments, and won six national championships with one national runner-up finish. Boasting a 582-107 record (.844 winning percentage) during his 11-year stint, the Bengals have held the #1 ranking at some point in the NJCAA regular season polls seven of the last nine years. In that time span, 44 LSU-Eunice student-athletes have earned scholarships to play at four-year schools. Lee recruited and developed 47 All-Region selections and 23 NJCAA All-Americans while at LSU Eunice. He has received five NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year awards along with three NJCAA National Coach of the Year honors (2011, 2014, 2017, and 2018).
“Coach Lee is a winner, and he has proven his dedication to creating a high-quality, championship program,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, Northwest Florida State College president. “Most important is the priority he places on student academic success and character development. Bringing Coach Lee to our college is a strong indicator of our goal to see our athletic programs dominate the NJCAA Panhandle Conference and Region VIII. We should be thinking and acting that way, because the Best Is Our Standard.”
Prior to his time at LSU Eunice, Lee began his collegiate coaching career at Hinds Community College. He spent three seasons as the head coach of the Eagles’ program and led them to a 92-65 overall record from 2006-2008.
A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Lee played four years as a left-handed pitcher and outfielder at Hinds Community College and Delta State University. In 1999, Lee signed a professional baseball contract with the Boston Red Sox and pitched two seasons in their organization.
Lee received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Delta State University and a master’s degree in education from Jackson State University.