East Mississippi Community College announced this week that it has handed the reins of its softball program to Jesus Aleman, a former collegiate athlete who is making his head coaching debut at the junior college level.
“It is an absolute honor to be named as the head softball coach at East Mississippi Community College. I want to especially thank (EMCC president) Dr. Scott Alsobrooks, (executive vice president and provost) Dr. James Rush and (EMCC athletic director) Cade Wilkerson for trusting me with this position,” Aleman said in a release. “I also want to thank my wife Kayla for her endless support throughout the years as well as give a special recognition to my coaching mentors during my career.”
“We’re excited to welcome Coach Jesus Aleman and his family to the East Mississippi Community College family as our new head softball coach,” Wilkerson said. “He brings great energy, strong local ties and a genuine passion for helping young women succeed on and off the field. He understands the importance of our local school districts and the talent in this area, and we’re excited for him to get to work building relationships throughout our community.”
Aleman replaces Mackenzie Byrd, who led the team for four years and was promoted to the head job at the conclusion of the 2023 season after serving as an interim coach. Aleman is a former athlete at Mississippi Valley State University where he played football, baseball and golf for the Delta Devils. Before playing in Itta Bena he hurled baseballs at East Central Community College, helping lead the Warriors to the 2007 MACJC state championship.
After his playing days were over in college, Aleman headed to the coaching ranks at East Central in the fall of 2010 as an assistant on head coach Neal Holliman’s coaching staff, then shifted gears and entered the working world outside of athletics with endeavors in outside plant construction and telecommunications – but he didn’t forget his drive for coaching.
For the last four years he’s also worked as a softball coach in youth softball in the Meridian area and spent this summer as the head coach in the West Lauderdale Youth Association’s softball organization. He guided the 12U East Mississippi All-Stars to an appearance in the Diamond Youth Softball World Series in Laurel and claimed the district championship as well as a state championship game appearance. This year Aleman also served as the head coach of the 12U West Black squad during the team’s regular season and tournament run. In addition, he has also coached 8U-14U travel softball for the past four years while having compiled an overall record of 201-100-9.
“Our path here at East Mississippi will consist of hard work, grit and determination,” Aleman said. “I’m very eager and excited about getting the best student-athletes on campus and for all of us to begin our new journey together.”
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