ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - Head Baseball Coach for Odessa College Coach Kurtis Lay is stepping down after 10 years with the program.

Odessa College announced the change on May 7. Over the past 10 years the Wranglers baseball teams were nationally ranked by both the NJCAA and Perfect Game. During his 2015 season he led OC to its first regional tournament appearance since 2010.

According to OC, while Lay was head coach, more than 80 students continued academic and athletic careers at the NJCAA Division I, DII, DIII and NAIA levels.

Coach Lay said, “I have been blessed to have the opportunity to come back and coach at my alma mater. I would like to thank Mr. Baker, the administration team, and most of all, the players and families that have supported me throughout the years. Odessa College is a special place with special people, and I am happy to be a lifelong Wrangler. I think it is time to see what life holds outside of the game of baseball. I cannot thank Odessa College and the Odessa community enough for all their support throughout the last 10 years.”

Odessa College Athletic Director Wayne Baker praised Coach Lay’s accomplishments during his time at OC as head coach. “Through a decade of dedication, Coach Lay, an alumnus who truly understood the spirit of our Odessa College, accumulated over 300 victories and nurtured the dreams of countless student athletes. His tenure saw the transformation of Wrangler Field and the navigation of our program through the challenges of a global pandemic. His guidance led us to seven postseason appearances and multiple national rankings, while eight of his players reached the professional leagues—a testament to his profound influence on and off the field. As he steps away from baseball, I wish Coach Lay and his family the very best.”

Prior to returning to Odessa College, Lay spent three years at Frank Phillips College as the head baseball coach and led the Plainsmen to two of the most successful seasons in the program’s history. Coach Lay completes his successful 13-year head coaching career with a winning record of 407– 294.