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By GARY STALLARD

AC Athletics

When Kassie James walked out onto the Angelina College softball field this past Monday, she knew exactly where she was going.

Home.

After all, she'd left plenty of her own footprints there 10 years ago.

James, a two-time NFCA All-American and a member of the Lady Roadrunners' 2014 national championship team, has been named the program's new head coach – a position she said she's dreamed of holding since finishing her playing career at AC.

"It definitely doesn't feel real yet," James said while looking around the field. "I've dreamed of having this job since I left here. When I first started my coaching career, I dreamed of coming back here, so having it become reality now is just unreal.

"I'm so grateful for this opportunity."

James, elected to the Angelina College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016, left more than footprints in the batter's box. She still holds numerous Lady 'Runner softball records, including the single-season (79) and career (140) marks for runs batted in, among others.

Those RBIs, she said, helped her understand even more the importance of establishing an overall "team-first" culture in a program.

"When I broke the record for RBIs, people were so cool about it, but I always remembered: People have to be on base for a hitter to get an RBI," James said. "Learning that at such a young age, in my first year of junior college softball, made me realize I couldn't do anything without my teammates.

"It's (the culture) definitely something that can grow throughout the season, but looking back at our championship team, every single player – even when they weren't playing – bought into their roles. When we had the starters having big games and big moments, those on the bench were just as thrilled for them."

Along with cultivating a "team-first" approach, James said her emphasis is to maximize every player's potential.

"Full player development is the key, from academics to athletics to who they are as people," James said. "I care about developing the whole player and person. I want them to leave Angelina College and be part of the conversation later when we talk about how proud we are of our alumni.

"I want players who come here wanting the chance to develop enough to play at the next level, whether it's Division I or whatever."

Following her playing career at AC, James played two seasons at Houston Baptist University (now Houston Christian University), where she earned Southland Conference Honorable Mention honors before graduating with her bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies. Afterward, she served as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Dallas, where she earned her Master of Leadership degree. She continued building her coaching resume with such programs as McNeese State University, Stephen F. Austin State University and Otero College, where she served as head coach. In 2024-2025, James was head coach at Kirbyville High School, where she led the Lady Wildcats to a 27-8 record and a postseason berth.

 All that experience, she said, has helped her better define and identify the types of players she believes will help the AC program remain among those in the top tier and make the Lady Roadrunners' games "must-see" events throughout the season.

"Honestly, when we won here in 2014, the energy was palpable every game," James said. "It was absolutely electric. You could feel it coming from the stands, you could feel it on the field, you could feel it from player to player.

"I think it's just going to take kids who want to come in and compete at the absolute highest level no matter what it takes to be successful. They have to want to win, and they have to care about this program as much as I do."

The email address for AC's Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.