Athletic director Rob Bernardi recently named Angel Santiago, seasoned coach of baseball and softball, the new head softball coach.

Many people applied for the position, but Santiago’s experience and reputation are what separated him from the rest, according to a comment made by Bernardi in a press release.

“Coach Santiago is known as a tireless recruiter and an exceptional teacher of the game,” Bernardi said. “I know he will have a positive impact on our women’s softball program—both now and in the years to come.”

A native of Chicago Heights, Ill., Santiago comes to Nicholls State after coaching at Florida State University and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, where he assisted Lonni Alameda.

“I am very excited to have been given this position,” Santiago said. “I will do my absolute best in coaching these girls, and hopefully they will learn from me, which they have already started to do. They are like sponges.”

Santiago, who used to be a minor league baseball player, began his coaching career as the head baseball coach at Prairie State College in his hometown of Chicago Heights.

He later became an assistant softball coach at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and stayed there for five years.

Santiago spent his last three seasons coaching as an assistant for Florida State. At FSU, the Seminoles advanced to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 Softball Championships three times, including last season where they were crowned Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Champions.

“I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with these programs,” Santiago said.

A graduate of Southern Illnois-Edwardsville, Santiago is also a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with certificates from USA Weightlifting and USA Track & Field.

After a 15-37 overall record and 7-22 conference record for the 2011 season, Santiago believes maintaining confidence and discipline will be a key challenge for the upcoming season.

“So far, the girls have showed both,” Santiago said. “It has been ‘yes sir’ or ‘no sir,’ and they are always hustling.”

The girls have also been helping maintain the field. This is something that did not happen as much in the past, Santiago said, and he believes it will benefit the team’s attitude.

“It is the little things that help,” Santiago said.

Little things have also helped with recruitment. Three recruits have already visited, and Santiago believes more will want to visit.

Concerning team goals, Santiago said he hopes the team will go over the .500 mark.

“The ladies have it in them; they just need to do what they do in practice during games,” Santiago said.

According to the new coach, there are several players he expects to make an impact on the upcoming season.

“There are a few older players who are doing a heck of a job,” Santiago said. “These players will shoulder a lot of the load.”

One such player is Ashley Ray, third baseman from Lafayette, who received second team All-Region honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and was also named the Southland Conference Softball Player of the Year last season.

Santiago is counting on a few freshmen to step up, also.

“We want our freshmen to think like sophomores, not freshmen,” Santiago said.

The schedule for the 2012 season is yet to be released, but will be released soon.