Mike Grzanich of Byram has been named as the new head women's softball coach at Hinds Community College, pending board approval. The 36-year old was chosen on Thursday morning and will begin his new duties immediately.

Grzanich will be making a new transition by switching to softball, but he is very familiar with the Raymond Campus. Grzanich has served as the pitching coach for the Eagles baseball program for the past three seasons, helping lead Hinds back to the state playoffs in 2008.

"I am extremely happy to have this opportunity," said Grzanich. "I am looking forward to meeting with my new team and getting the fall practice season started as soon as I can."

The softball gig is not foreign to Grzanich, as he was the head fast-pitch softball coach at Porter's Chapel Academy from 2003-2005. It was also there that Grzanich was the head boys and girls basketball coach at the Vicksburg school.

Grzanich pulled double duty during this time period, also spending time as a volunteer pitching coach at Mississippi College, where he helped lead the Choctaws to three straight playoff appearances.

Grzanich spent close to 10 years in minor league baseball prior to his coaching career. He was a member of the Houston Astros organization from 1992-1998 before being traded to the Detroit Tigers in 1999.

Grzanich was a part of the Astros' big league club for a short period of time in 1998. He was forced to retire after his stint with the Tigers due to career-ending arm injuries.

Hinds athletic director Gene Murphy feels that he found the right man in Grzanich.

"I am very pleased that Mike has taken on this new role," said Murphy. "Our softball program has experienced a lot of success through the years, and I feel that Mike will be able to build on that success."

Grzanich has tentatively set his six weeks of fall practice for Monday, Sept. 8.