Mike “Coach G” Grzanich has been the head coach for the Lady Eagle softball program since 2009. He has accumulated over 200 wins in 16 seasons at the helm for Hinds Softball.
Coach Grzanich is the reigning 2024 Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) Softball Coach of the Year. The 2024 staff also were awarded as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Coaching Staff of the Year award.
In 2024, Grzanich led his team to a 32-16 which fell 4 games short of the program record for wins in a season which was set in 2006. The 2024 team also made the programs first NJCAA Region 23 tournament since 2008.
Over the years, Coach Grzanich has developed many MACCC All-State recipients such as:
Ellie Williamson (Belhaven University), Taylor Nelson (Missouri S&T), Sara Long (Belhaven University), Natalie Parker (Belhaven University), Hannah Tauzin (Mississippi College), Kyleigh Forsyth (Sophomore), Melissa Lopera (Sophomore), and Alexis Moran.
To pair with athletic accomplishments, Coach Grzanich has touted numerous NJCAA Academic All-Americans, totaling over 27 just in the last 4 years, accompanied with NJCAA All-Academic teams of the year.
Grzanich started off at Hinds in 2005 as the pitching coach for the Hinds Baseball team. Over his three years on staff, he developed four MACCC all state pitchers.
Born and raised in Illinois, Grzanich attended NJCAA Parkland College (Ill.) before being drafted in the 19th Round of the 1992 MLB Draft. Grzanich played for the Houston Astros minor league team before being called up to the Major Leagues during the 1998 season.
After joining the Detroit Tigers in the off-season, Grzanich ran into some arm problems that led to Tommy John surgery during the 1999 season. After recovery from elbow surgery, he tried to make a comeback, however he ran into more arm problems that forced him to retire.
Grzanich returned to school after his playing career came to an end, becoming an Alumnus of Hinds Community College as well as graduating with Honors from Mississippi College with a bachelor’s degree in fitness management.
Coach Grzanich currently resides in Raymond with his wife Renee, and two daughters, Ryleigh and Amory.
