Spears returns to Lander as interim softball coach

Doug Spears

GREENWOOD – Lander Athletics Hall of Fame softball coach Doug Spears is returning to Lander and will serve as the school's interim softball coach for the 2011-2012 season, replacing Brandon Duncan who resigned last week.

Spears, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame earlier this summer, posted a record of 803-474 in 24 years as Lander's softball coach. He retired Dec. 31, 2005, and moved back home to northeast Texas.

"We are fortunate that Coach Spears has agreed to return to Lady Bearcat softball as our interim head coach," Lander Athletics Director Jeff May said. "He brings a wealth of experience and past success to the program. Later this fall, we will conduct a national search to hire a new head coach who will lead Lady Bearcat softball in 2012-2013."

Spears will take over a team which finished 21-22 last year, including 6-14 in the ultra-competitive Peach Belt Conference. Lander returns two All Peach Belt players in pitcher Hayley Leissner (14-16, 2.32 ERA, school record 226 strikeouts) and infielder Brittney Sheriff, who led the team in batting average (.413), runs (35) hits (59), triples (5) and stolen bases (20-for-20).

Spears won two NAIA District 6 titles and Palmetto State Conference titles in 1990 and 1991. Seven of his teams finished ranked in the Top 20 when Lander was a member of NAIA.

Spears was the 1990 NAIA East Region Coach of the Year, the NAIA District 6 Coach of the Year in 1982, '85, '86, '87 and '90 and Palmetto State Conference Coach of the Year in 1990. He was also the Peach Belt Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1994.

He coached All-Americans Kim Harper (NAIA 1985, '86, '87), Kristi Weed (NAIA 1990, 1991), Ann Harbin (NAIA 1992), Kristi Johnson (NCAA 1994), Brantley Mack (NCAA 1996, '97) and Ashley Tomlinson (2001). Spears also coached 23 All-Peach Belt Conference players and 56 All-NAIA District 6 players.