KINGSVILLE, Texas – The Javelina Athletics Department has announced the hiring of Doug Eastman as the Head Coach of the Texas A&M University – Kingsville softball team. Doug joins the Javelinas from Yavapai College in Prescott, Ariz. Where he earned 343 wins across eight seasons at YC.  

"I'm excited for our student-athletes and for the Javelina softball program to have Doug be the next head coach," Athletic Director Steve Roach said. "Doug brings a wealth of experience and a background that will provide our student-athletes with the chance to continue excelling both on and off the field." 

Eastman's 2022 squad shattered the record books en route to a 57-6 record and fifth-place finish at nationals, Regional Championship, and ACCAC Championship. During the season, Eastman earned ACCAC Coach of the Year honors and NFCA Region Coaching Staff of the Year (along with Assistant Coach Erika Bennett) honors.   

His team also led the NJCAA and NFCA in All-America honors with six student-athletes earning All-American status. In addition, shortstop Lovey Kepa'a earned NJCAA Co-Player of the Year honors after breaking the YC home run record (34) and YC RBI record (104).  

In 2021, Yavapai Softball again took fourth in the National Championships, having three All-Americans which served as the most chosen on any one team during the 2021 season.  

Eastman led his team to a Region Championship and fourth-place finish in the nation in 2016. In 2017 and 2018, Eastman's teams won back-to-back ACCAC Championships. In 2018, Eastman coached the first-ever National Player of the Year in YC Softball history in Jaydee Boursaw who owns the YC home run record with 60 (21 ahead of second place).  

Before YC, Eastman was the Head Softball Coach for 12 years at College of the Siskiyous in Northern California, where his team posted a record of 301-24 across seven years.  

His experience also comes from being a former student-athlete playing baseball at Siskiyous where he received All-State and All-America honors and was the youngest student-athlete to be inducted into the institution's Baseball Hall of Fame.   

Eastman then transferred to Sacramento State University where he achieved All-American honors and was enshrined in the Sacramento Hornet's Hall of Fame. In 1986, Eastman was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. He played for four years in their minor league organization and was awarded Most Valuable Player honors in 1987. A wrist injury changed his focus from player to coach.  

Doug will be joined in his move by his wife Darla.