LAFAYETTE-Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns announced that Chris Malveaux was named the new assistant coach of the softball team effective June 1.  Malveaux joined the program as volunteer assistant coach in 2009 after a seven-year stint at McNeese State, serving as the Cowgirls’ head coach his final four seasons.

 

Malveaux replaces Joy Webre who took the head softball coaching position at St. Thomas More High School. 

 

“I’m very excited for this opportunity to be part of this great program,” Malveaux said. “It is a privilege to work with this coaching staff.  They are great people and are very knowledgeable when it comes to the game of softball.

 

“Seeing this team from the other side for the last few years has brought a lot of admiration for what’s going on here,” he added. “It was always a great challenge and was very exciting to play in the environment at Lamson Park.  Seeing what Mike and Stefni have both done since their arrival is awesome.  They’ve been extremely classy and strong year after year.  They are also great people and have been great friends to me for years.  I’m very fortunate to be a part of the Ragin Cajun family.”

 

“He has an unmatched energy and passion and enthusiasm to help our players get better and make this program the best in the country,” co-head coach Michael Lotief said. “He is our good friend, who has good values and a good heart and a winning attitude. He cares immensely about the well being of all around him.”

 

Prior to Louisiana

Malveaux led the McNeese State Cowgirls to four straight Southland Conference Tournament appearances during his tenure as head coach from 2005-2008.

 

In his first season as head coach (2005), he was one of a few coaches to lead their team to the NCAA Tournament in their first season as head coach. The season began with a 9-24 start and the Cowgirls turned things around to produce a 24-9 record in their last 33 games.

 

McNeese won the Southland Conference Tournament and participated in the 2005 NCAA Regionals – only the second appearance in school history – and recorded the school’s first regional contest victory.  

 

In 2005, the Cowgirls set the school and SLC single season record for doubles (105) and set the school single season record for home runs (60). In 2007 and 2008, Malveaux’s squad led the Southland Conference in stolen bases. 

 

Malveaux produced a number of All–SLC selections, including one Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year and two Southland Conference Utility Players of the Year, two All-South Region players and four All-Louisiana players. 

 

Prior to being elevated to head coach, Malveaux served as an assistant under Scott Eastman from 2002–2004. He was also a part of the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes program.

 

The Houston, Texas native graduated from Texas A&M in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness.  There, he served as student equipment manager for head coach Jo Evans.  He also helped coach the Texas Comets, an 18-and-under team from College Station.

-www.RaginCajuns.com-