September 7, 2011

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MACON, Ga. – Director of Athletics Jim Cole has announced that former Louisiana State University associate head coach James DeFeo has been named as Mercer University's new softball head coach. DeFeo is the sixth head coach in program history and replaces Mike Raynor, who resigned in August (after five seasons at the Bears' helm) for personal reasons.

DeFeo brings a strong – and successful – softball background to what will be his first stint as a collegiate head coach. Overall as a college coach, DeFeo has been a part of more than 600 victories, five conference championships, 12 trips to the NCAA tournament and four Women's College World Series berths. None of the college programs where he has been on staff have ever suffered a losing season.

"I am truly excited to have a coach with James' credentials become a part of the Mercer staff," MU Director of Athletics Jim Cole said. "He is a proven winner and has been a part of some outstanding softball programs. His experience coaching in the SEC will also be a valuable tool.

"We had some outstanding applicants for our position, which says a lot about the potential that is ahead for our softball. I believe James has what it takes to help Mercer's program reach that next level and beyond."

DeFeo spent a large portion of his coaching career under the tutelage of legendary LSU head coach Yvette Girouard, who retired from coaching after the 2011 season. In his 11 seasons with the LSU staff – the past seven as the associate head coach – the Tigers rolled up a record of 526-171-1 (.754), finished ranked in the top-20 nationally 10 seasons, qualified for the NCAA championship tournament 10 times and had two trips to the WCWS (2001 and 2004) where LSU finished third both times.

The LSU coaching staff was honored as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) South Region "Coaching Staff of the Year" in both 2001 and 2004. The Tigers also earned three SEC championships (2001, 2002 and 2004) during DeFeo's span with the team.

At LSU, DeFeo also helped produce a strong tradition in the classroom, as well, that spawned four CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and 13 Academic All-District selections.  58 of the Tigers' student-athletes were named the SEC Academic Honor Roll during his time at LSU, in addition to 15 SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll members since 2004.

Longtime LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman, who was also the Tigers' Director of Athletics for most of DeFeo's time at the school, believes the Bears have landed the ideal head coach.

"James is a 'can't miss'," Bertman said of DeFeo.  "He has that special chemistry and personality with the student-athletes. They really like him, respond to him and respect him. He is incredibly loyal.

"He will treat athletes with respect and dignity. He's a good family man and he will gain the confidence of the community, as well as win some ball games along the way."

Prior to coming to LSU, DeFeo was also on staff with Girouard at Louisiana-Lafayette for one season in 2000, where the team won the Sun Belt championship, was ranked No. 16 and qualified for the NCAA regionals. In 1999, a year before teaming up with Girouard, DeFeo was a graduate assistant at Southern Mississippi when the Golden Eagles became the first-ever, first-year program to advance to the WCWS and also won the inaugural Conference USA championship series.

DeFeo also has more than 13 years experience as the sole proprietor and instructor in the All-America Softball Clinics, offering programs in New Jersey, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania and Mississippi. He has coaching experience at virtually every level of fastpitch softball, including Under-12, Under-16, 18-and-under, and Women's Major.

"I view (the Mercer position) as a great opportunity both professionally and for my family," DeFeo said. "Mercer University is an excellent academic institution and Jim's (Cole) vision as an Athletics Director will  make athletics just as good as the academics at the institution.

"I am going to draw on all of my experiences and utilize them to the fullest for Mercer's program."

DeFeo is a native of New Jersey and earned his bachelor's degree in sports management in 1996 from Rutgers University. He earned his master's in sport's administration from Southern Miss in 1999.

DeFeo is the brother of current Ball State assistant coach Stephanie DeFeo, who was also a three-time All-American player at UL-Lafayette.

DeFeo was married to the former Samantha Rock in 2000. The couple has two daughters, Victoria and Zoe and a son, Zachary.

 

THE DeFEO FILE

YEAR	SCHOOL	W-L REC.	POSITION	ACCOLADES/HONORS
2011	LSU	40-18	Associate Head Coach	No. 20 rank; NCAA Regional
2010	LSU	45-16	Associate Head Coach	No. 19 rank; NCAA Regional
2009	LSU	34-18-1	Associate Head Coach	No. 19 rank; NCAA Regional
2008	LSU	44-18	Associate Head Coach	No. 18 rank; NCAA Regional
2007	LSU	55-12	Associate Head Coach	No. 10 rank; NCAA Super-Regional
2006	LSU	55-14	Associate Head Coach	No. 11 rank; NCAA Super-Regional
2005	LSU	31-23	Associate Head Coach
2004	LSU	57-12	Assistant Coach	No. 3 rank; SEC champions; 3rd WCWS
2003	LSU	50-18	Assistant Coach	No. 15 rank; NCAA Regional
2002	LSU	56-11	Assistant Coach	No. 9 rank; SEC champions; NCAA Regional
2001	LSU	59-11	Assistant Coach	No. 3 rank; SEC champions; 3rd WCWS
2000	UL-LAFAYETTE	45-15	Assistant Coach	No. 16 rank; Sun Belt champions; NCAA Regional
1999	Southern Mississippi	52-9	Graduate Assistant	No. 8 rank; C-USA champions; WCWS
13 yrs.	TOTALS	623-195-1 (.761)		12 yrs. Top-20 rank; 5 yrs. Top-10 rank; 12 yrs. NCAA post-season; 5 conference championships; 4 WCWS berths