Director of Athletics David Sharp announced Wednesday the hiring of Arkansas Softball Hall of Famer Derrick Grimes as head coach of Ouachita softball. He replaces Leslie Dean, who resigned in December due to health reasons.

With more than 20 years of coaching experience, Grimes has coached at the NJCAA, high school and travel ball levels. He has coached teams to five ASA/USA National Championships, eight top-three national finishes, and 16 state titles, as well as five USSSA World Championships. 

Grimes comes to Arkadelphia having spent the past four years as an independent softball instructor in Little Rock and the past 24 years as head coach of Cole Minnows Softball, with which he has coached more than 30 players who went on to receive college softball scholarships. From 2007 to 2015, he served as assistant softball coach at Southwest Tennessee Community College, where he coached several All-TCCAA and All-America honorees. Prior to STCC, he was an assistant at Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Arkansas, where he coached teams to four stat tournament appearances with two second-place finishes. 

"Having the opportunity to coach at a Christian university has always been a goal of mine," Grimes said. "As Ouachita Baptist University's head softball coach, I will be able to apply the spiritual part of life with athletic competitiveness, allowing me to assist our players to become the best they can be on and off the field."

In addition to his work in leading and developing softball players, Grimes spent 35 years as a firefighter in North Little Rock and has served as a Deacon at Highway Baptist Church and as a youth pastor at Steel Bridge Baptist Church.

Grimes earned a bachelors in fire science and a master's in health and safety from Columbia Southern. He also spent two years as a member of the Henderson State baseball team.
 

What They're Saying

"I'm very excited about the addition of Derrick Grimes to our staff. His knowledge and experience in the game of softball will serve him well as he leads our team. His commitment to excellence both on and off the field are evident and our student athletes will benefit from his leadership." - David Sharp, Ouachita Baptist Director of Athletics



"Coach Grimes is one of the best coaches I've ever had. He is encouraging, incredibly hard-working, a man of integrity, and will stand up for his team and players when things get tough. He values hard work, and as a former player, I appreciate him for that. He was my coach throughout middle and high school and played a big part in helping me get recruited. He is truly rooting for each of his players on and off the field, and I know he always has my back." - Callie Clement, former Tiger infielder



"I have known Derrick for over 10 years, and his personality radiates the love of the game. I was able to play for Derrick the last couple of seasons before I left for college. He pushes every player to be the best they can be, and it shows on the field. Derrick and his wife, Janie, helped me with finding Mid-America Christian University, where I received a scholarship. Derrick has a love for the game and the girls he coaches and will always want the best for them." - Regan Martin, Mid-America Christian University pitcher



"There are so many things you could say about Derrick Grimes. For me, personally, I would not have been the player, person, or coach I am today without Coach Grimes' endless love and support. Coach Grimes will be an amazing addition to the softball team and the university. He has a way of challenging himself, his staff and his player to strive to be better not only on the field but off it in every aspect of life." - Courtney Clark, head softball coach, North Little Rock



"I could brag about Derrick and Janie all day every day about their ability to coach and their contributions to Arkansas softball. I would be remiss if I didn't mention why they are the great individuals they are. Why thousands of players have such a great love for them. Why their integrity is impeccable. Why they are respected all over. It's because of their love for Jesus." - Claude Hankins, Head of the Arkansas Dingers organization