The graphic posted Thursday night by the Athletics Gold Tamborra club organization announcing that Josh Fisher was joining the Georgia-based program led by Founder and Head Coach Stacy Tamborra said it all.

The white text superimposed on the Athletics green background was powerful in its listing the long-time coach’s dynamic track record.

Among the notable team-based accomplishments were:

• A record of 562-153-31 over the last dozen years,
• Two PGF National titles,
• Four state championships and
• Four No. 1 team rankings

… and on the player front:

• 140 players coached by Fisher who moved on to the collegiate level,
• 120 of those to D1 programs,
• Three of his former players who attained No. 1 status in their classes, 19 who made Top 5 and two dozen in the Top 10,
• 70 who made the Top 100 rankings lists overall and
• 17 Gatorade Players of the Year

That is a pretty power resume, so when it was announced last weekend that there would be a parting of the ways between Fisher and his previous program, Tennessee Mojo, it quickly led to a full-court press by several nationally prominent travel organizations who tried to woo the coach’s services.

The same day the departure news went public, however, a program in the Peach State would secure Fisher and the quickness of the change was based primarily on a years-long relationship of competitive respect.

That respect is also because of the Athletics Gold’s successful track record:

• 2024 PGF Premier runner-up
• 2024 IDT runner-up
• 2025 Top 25 18U champions
• PGF Premier finishes of 2^nd, 5^th, 9^th
• 12U National Champions
• Power 4 commits on team over past the past four years including Auburn, Arkansas, Duke, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Mississippi State.

The mutual admiration of the two coaches goes back a decade or so.

“Josh and I played against each other for years,” Coach Tamborra remembers, “dating back to probably 10U and under when my daughter Malayna (Tamborra, currently a junior at Auburn University) was playing for me.”

“We’ve always had hard fought battles, but it’s always been highly respectful and we all got better facing each other.  Every camp that I would go to, Josh was seemingly always there and—even without a kid on the team—he was there supporting his kids.”

Tamborra explains that their crossing of paths has continued to now as both coaches feel it important to show support for those they’ve coached previously. 

“Even now when I run into Josh at the field, it has been when I’ve been out watching my daughter play at Auburn and he’s out watching his former players in the college circuit.”

“We’ve always stopped and chatted, and Josh has been very complementary about what we’ve been building here with Athletics Gold Tamborra. His teams have always been highly competitive, too, and his players absolutely adore him.” 

The same day the departure news went public, however, a program in the Peach State would secure Fisher and the quickness of the change was based primarily on a years-long relationship of competitive respect.

The merger of two of club softball’s key leaders coming together featured the realistic potential to build into the lives of young athletes, help them see their dreams come true and elevate the national travel scene and its culture.

“It’s exciting to have another high-level coach building in this organization with the desire to pour important things into the lives of our young athletes and helping them see their dreams come true.” 

“I think Josh joining us is a perfect fit and I am so excited!”

*****

Here is a statement Coach Fisher issued this week addressing areas important to him involving his transition into the Athletics Gold Tamborra program…

… his thoughts on his former players in Mojo:

First of all, I am extremely excited about this year’s group with my former club.

I have developed strong relationships with those youngsters, and I wish those kids the best and remain in their corners.

*****

… on the support he’s received from those in softball:

I’ve been overwhelmed by the support the entire softball community has shown through this in such a short time frame. I truly want to personally thank each organization, coach, player, parent, friend and colleague who have reached out to me over the last few days.

The response I have also received from college coaches in the last few days has definitely reassured me that I’m supported not only personally, but also with this decision which ultimately goes right back to the student-athlete.

It has meant a lot to me, and I’ll forever be grateful to each of them for that. It quite literally has overwhelmed me.

*****

… on his long-time working respect for Coach Tamborra:

I’ve known Stacy for many years and had great respect for the job she has done, is doing and will continue to do. She has an incredible softball mind, a pulse on the game and is not only a phenomenal coach, but moreover an awesome person! 

Coach Tamborra does it the right way—she has always put her kids first, fought hard for her kids and has left zero doubt that she does this for all the right reasons. 

We’ve had some awesome battles throughout the years at some of the biggest venues in travel softball. Her love and passion for the sport and kids have shined through each one of those times.

She has continually produced some of the best teams and players in the country, at all age divisions and with her having already laid an incredible foundation, I am honored to be here! 

*****

… on the importance both coaches place on honesty:

Stacy’s honesty, intense passion and vast knowledge for this entire industry really made it an easy decision for me, as they all line up with the direction I want to continue. 

I operate on honesty and look forward to learning under a tremendous softball mind in Stacy.

I deeply care about the kids, their development and maturation process as student-athletes, as well as helping to assist them in their recruiting process.

*****

… on the power of relationships in the game:

I’ll end with this: don’t ever underestimate or take for granted the relationships you build with people in and around the game.

Folks respect those who do this for the right reasons and, sometimes, it seems like it’s not the “cool” thing to do nowadays for many, but I believe that if you operate on honesty and keep it 100 percent about the kids and their goals and dreams, it gets noticed and is appreciated.

I am driven and my passion is to help the kids. I really want to thank Stacy for her belief in me to bring me into the Athletics Gold family.

I’m excited to get going this Summer and beyond to continue building something extra special!

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Media