COLUSA, CA (MPG) – This season marks the end of an era for the RedHawk softball team after longtime head coach Jamie Lay stepped down after 11 seasons at the helm.
“I’ve been at this for a while and it’s time,” said Lay. “I’m looking forward to being able to do more with my family and get in a little more fishing.”
Lay, who started his coaching career at Lindhurst High School spent five years from 2008-2012 working alongside legendary coach Bill Biggs before taking over in Colusa in 2015.
And even though Lay moved on to coach the RedHawks, Biggs was happy to see Lay get his chance in Colusa and still views his one-time protégé not only as a friend, but also believes that he is as good as they come in terms of coaching.
won a second section title in 2017 with a win over their rival East Nicolaus.
“I have coached youth sports in this area for 35 years and during that time I have either had Jamie and/or a member of his family on my staff or coaching against me,” said Biggs who is now an assistant at East Nicolaus. “If he was one of my coaches, I could relax a little because my kids were going to be taught the fundamentals of playing and I never had any issues with any of his coaching decisions. If Jamie was coaching the team we were playing against, I knew we were going to play a tough team because they played hard and practiced harder. He coached with integrity and we need more like him.”
Lay’s accomplishments are considerable given that he amassed an overall record of 196-93-3 and led his team to five appearances in the Northern Section Division V title game, with the RedHawks winning it all in 2015 and 2017.
Yet, there is more to Lay’s impact than just the wins, as Emily Corriea, the captain of Lay’s 2015 team explained, “Jamie was the type of coach that made you want to work hard. He made softball fun and pushed me to not only be a better player, but a better teammate as well. More than that though, he took an interest his players off the field. To this day he still checks in just to say hi or see how I’m doing.”
Lay, the second longest tenured softball coach in school history, leaves behind a competitive and respected program, something that came as no surprise to Colusa athletic director Eric Lay.
“Jamie has been a model of character and class.” said Eric, who also happens to be Jamie’s older brother. “He has done things the right way building a program rooted in teamwork and respect. He has always put his players, teams and assistant coaches first, creating a culture of pride and commitment that will be felt long after his departure. His legacy stands on quiet leadership, genuine care and consistent success.”
While this season marks the end of Lay’s current tenure, don’t be surprised if the 2015 Northern Section Coach of the Year returns at some point in the future when his grandkids are ready to play.