Ouachita Baptist University Athletics

Leslie Dean was named interim head coach during the 2019 season after the passing of Mike McGhee from cancer. The softball team posted a 20-25 record under her direction and made the Great American Conference tournament as the No. 8 seed. Ouachita made Great American Conference history as they defeated No. 1 seed and nationally-ranked Southern Arkansas University in the first round.  
 
"Coach Dean came into a situation that would have been difficult for anyone,"  athletic director David Sharp said. "Her sensitivity to the feelings and emotions of the student-athletes, along with the ability to practice and prepare for competition during this difficult time was remarkable."
 
Dean was a pitcher and middle infielder for Canyon High School in Canyon, Texas. She earned team MVP and All-District MVP awards as well as All-District honors all four seasons of her high school career. As a junior, she was awarded the Joe Lombard Fighting Heart Award, usually given to senior athletes.
 
Dean suffers from Tetralogy of Fallot, a complex heart condition that involves four heart defects that change the flow of blood through the heart. She endured three open heart surgeries by the time she was 17 years old. The surgeries involved donor valve replacements with a blalock shunt placed in her heart when she was 2 years old.
 
"Leslie Dean exemplifies resiliency in her personal life and her professional role as a coach," said Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president. "Her resiliency and other attributes, along with her commitment to advance Ouachita's mission, will benefit our student-athletes."
 
After a college career at Texas A&M University Corpus-Christi, Dean began her coaching career as an assistant coach at East Central University in Ada, Okla. She then served as pitching coach for Cisco Community College in Cisco, Texas, for two years before becoming the head coach in 2014. Under her direction, Cisco accumulated the most wins in school history and made the playoffs for the first time.
 
"Coach Dean's coaching experience and knowledge of the game were evident as she led Ouachita Softball this spring," Sharp noted. "Her passion, intensity and enthusiasm – along with the desire to compete – are infectious and have her teams compete at their highest level."
 
Dean is married to Dionte Dean, defensive back coach for the Ouachita Football team. They have two children, Madison and Kyler.