Andy Lee
Andy Lee

Bio

Andy Lee, a six-time national champion and three-time national coach of the year, enters his fifth season as head coach of the Northwest Florida State College softball program.

In the 2022-23 season, Lee and the Raider softball team shattered many program records en route to their first national appearance in program history. The Raiders collected the most wins in NWF softball history with 57 and finished National Runner-Up. The 2022-23 team set records in team batting average (0.362), runs scored (515), RBIs (472), doubles (129), home runs (92), total bases (1015), 2B Sydney Stewart with 22 doubles, and LF Gyvan Hammons with 39 stolen bases. 3B Layla Thompson was recognized as a Rawlings Gold Glove award winner and was named NJCAA National Tournament Most Outstanding Offensive Player. Julia Petty, Layla Thompson, and Gyvan Hammons were recognized as NJCAA All Tournament Players. The Raiders finished as Panhandle Conference Champions, Region 8 Runner-Up, and National Runner-Up. Behind Lee's coaching efforts, the Raiders had 11 players named to the All-Conference team, and 5 All-Region Players.

In his first year, Lee led the program to a 27-8 record before having the season shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time the season ended, the Raiders led the NJCAA in doubles, triples, extra base hits, total bases, and sacrifice flies. The team ranked second in runs, RBIs, and walks, fourth in stolen bases and fifth in home runs. The squad was also a success in the classroom posting a 3.59 team GPA.

Lee came to Niceville with over a decade of collegiate head coaching experience and a combined record of 701-182 (.794 winning percentage), including stints at the helm of LSU-Eunice and Hinds Community College.

In his 11 seasons as the head coach at LSU-Eunice, Lee was instrumental in turning the Bengals’ softball program into a perennial powerhouse. Under Lee’s command, the Bengals have made 11 Region 23 Tournaments, nine National Tournaments, and won six national championships with one national runner-up finish. Boasting a 582-107 record (.844 winning percentage) during his 11-year stint, the Bengals have held the #1 ranking at some point in the NJCAA regular season polls seven of the last nine years. In that time span, 44 LSU-Eunice student-athletes have earned scholarships to play at four-year schools. Lee recruited and developed 47 All-Region selections and 23 NJCAA All-Americans while at LSU-Eunice. He has received five Region 23 Coach of the Year awards along with three National Coach of the Year honors (2011, 2014, 2017, and 2018).

“Coach Lee is a winner and he has proven his dedication to creating a high-quality, championship program,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, Northwest Florida State College president. “Most important is the priority he places on student academic success and character development. Bringing Coach Lee to our college is a strong indicator of our goal to see our athletic programs dominate the NJCAA Panhandle Conference and Region VIII. We should be thinking and acting that way, because the Best Is Our Standard.”

Prior to his time at LSU-Eunice, Lee began his collegiate coaching career at Hinds Community College. He spent three seasons as the head coach of the Eagles’ program and led them to a 92-65 overall record from 2006-2008.

A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Lee played four years as a left-handed pitcher and outfielder at Hinds Community College and Delta State University. In 1999, Lee signed a professional baseball contract with the Boston Red Sox and pitched two seasons in their organization.

Lee received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Delta State University and a master’s degree in education from Jackson State University.

ANDY LEE HEAD COACHING RECORD

Year School Overall Record Postseason
2006 Hinds CC 22-24  
2007 Hinds CC 35-21  
2008 Hinds CC 36-20 NJCAA Region 23 Tournament
2009 LSU Eunice 38-19 NJCAA DII National Tournament
2010 LSU Eunice 48-10 NJCAA Region 23 Tournament
2011 LSU Eunice 58-10 NJCAA DII National Champions
2012 LSU Eunice 53-11 NJCAA DII National Tournament
2013 LSU Eunice 62-5 NJCAA DII National Champions
2014 LSU Eunice 64-3 NJCAA DII National Champions
2015 LSU Eunice 46-6 NJCAA Region 23 Tournament
2016 LSU Eunice 58-8 NJCAA DII National Champions
2017 LSU Eunice 53-11 NJCAA DII National Champions
2018 LSU Eunice 49-20 NJCAA DII National Tournament
2019 LSU Eunice 52-6 NJCAA DII National Champions
2020 Northwest Florida 27-8 Season cancelled (COVID-19)
2021 Northwest Florida 35-17  
2022 Northwest Florida 40-14  
2023 Northwest Florida 57-11 NJCAA National Runner-Up
TOTAL   833-224