AUSTIN, Texas – Concordia University Texas Vice President for Athletics, Ronda Seagraves, announced a coaching transition in the softball program on Thursday.

Rachel Acosta has resigned as head coach of the program and Jeff Staton, who has served as an assistant coach the past three years, has been promoted to the role of head coach.

Seagraves is appreciative of Acosta's dedication to the program over the last six years at Concordia.

"I want to thank Rachel for her service and leadership as the Tornados' softball coach," Seagraves said. "She has been dedicated to Concordia University, the athletic department, and our student-athletes for the past six years and she will be greatly missed. We wish her and her family the best as she takes on her new endeavors."

Seagraves is excited to welcome Staton as the 10th head coach of the program and continue the success CTX has accomplished.

"Concordia University is fortunate to be able to promote Jeff Staton as the next head softball," Seagraves said. "Coach Staton's softball experience, knowledge of the game, and recruiting connections made this an easy decision.  The transition for our returning student-athletes and incoming newcomers will be smooth and seamless.  His enthusiasm for the sport, Concordia, and developing players will be an exciting new chapter in the history of the CTX softball program"

During Staton's three years as an assistant coach, the program went 59-66, including a 25-win season in 2018, tied for the second-most wins in a single season in program history, as the Tornados made a run to American Southwest Conference Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2000.

Staton is grateful and ready to begin his tenure as Concordia Texas' head coach.

"I am so blessed to be given the opportunity to build on what we have started here at Concordia," Staton said. "I have such a passion for this university and our softball program. I want to thank Ronda Seagraves and the administration for believing in me and trusting me to lead this program and our wonderful young ladies. We will work tirelessly to build this program to a conference power and to glorify the Lord in all we do."
 
Staton brings a wealth of softball experience, having coached girls select softball for 28 years, while also serving as the Director of the Texas Stix Girls Softball Association. He has helped over 140 girls go to play college softball from NAIA to NCAA Division I.

Staton is no stranger to the university or the city.
 
A native of Austin, Texas, Staton was a four-sport athlete in high school and attended Tarleton State University to play football before transferring to Southwest Texas State to play baseball.

Staton's daughter, Haylee Staton, pitched for the Tornados in 2010 and was an ASC West First Team selection before finishing her career at University of Texas-San Antonio.

The softball program finished the 2019 season 15-25, missing out on the ASC Tournament for the first time since 2016, but ended the year on a high note, defeating Howard Payne 7-6 in a come-from-behind win and having five Tornados earn All-ASC honors.