The Texas-based travel softball powerhouse that is the Hotshots is welcoming back one of its most successful coaches in club history.

Longtime Hotshots coach Steve Jones is coming out of a short-lived retirement to rejoin the organization he helped build and will take on multiple leadership roles that will span coaching, player development, marketing, and college recruiting.

“Just when I thought I’d hung the clipboard up permanently, my passion overrides sanity—or at least that is what my wife thinks!” Jones jokes.

“Despite officially retiring from coaching for months I still gave lessons to former players and athletes that I’ve worked with in the past in my spare time.  Several people reached out over those months egging me to return to coaching in various roles.  When it became clear I couldn’t resist the calling there was only one place that made sense for me to return to.”

That would be the Hotshots organization founded in 2014 by Nathan Nelson, still active in leading the nationally accomplished program.

Back In the Saddle Again for the Hotshots

The news became public last week when the Hotshots announced the big news via social media:

Reactions to Steve Jones’s “un-retirement” have been overwhelmingly positive across social media and the softball community and the championship-winning leader told Line Drive this week that he will serve in two main capacities:

• Travel ball coach,
• Off-the-field administrator overseeing three primary areas:
  1. Player Development,
  2. Marketing & Public Relations,
  3. Recruiting

“Any great organization doesn’t just sit stagnant and bask in their accomplishments or successes,” he explains.

“They look to improve upon what they’ve already done and grow for the benefit of the young athletes and families that are a part of that program.  That is consistent with the Hotshots’ philosophy and one of the reasons I was intrigued to return.”

On Field & Off

So why the two-fold approach?

“I’m a coach first and foremost,” Jones continued. “Coaching is one of my primary passions—helping young athletes grow (as players and people) and preparing them for their next steps is something I clearly will always enjoy and hopefully excel at.”

“I will work with some of our national and premier teams this summer as I grow more acquainted with some of the younger teams and players in the organization. It’s a work in progress and we will figure out a more specific coaching play after the summer concludes.”

As for the administrative role, Jones believes that Nelson and another Hotshots program lead, Melissa “Mel” Dumezich, have successfully grown the Houston-based program’s brand, but could use another pair of hands off the field too.

“They have their hands full most days with the host of matters that accompany running the organization,” Jones says, “so the need for dedicated attention to these areas was clear. We realized that we need to ensure there is structure, resources and support that facilitate the success of our coaches, teams and players.”

The Hotshots leadership met together to find a place to use Jones’ skills and experiences to bolster the organization to even great heights.

“Nathan and I discussed several ways in which I could help to enhance and elevate the organization,” Jones remembers, “and came up with a few ways to leverage what I could bring to the Hotshots.”

Jones comments on what the leadership decided were areas most crucial for him to oversee:

*** Director of Player Development

“Although player development has always been a core focus of the organization, we decided that this area could use more concerted and structured attention.”

“As Director of Player Development, I will head up the building out of a structured player development program.  This includes a lot of things related to player development, but one of the often-overlooked areas is to be sure our coaches are held to a standard that is consistent with the Hotshot organization’s philosophy and vision.”

“It will, of course, also include the more typical focuses like skill development (general and specialized), targeted training, regimented performance evaluation and character & mental development of players.”

*** Lead for Marketing & Public Relations

“To ensure the organization is consistent and has a unified message reflective of the views of leadership,” Jones continues, “I will act as primary marketing and public relations contact assisting leadership and the organization with media communications.”

*** Recruiting Liaison

“The organization has some talented people devoted to recruiting and an active smart recruiting coordinator,” he explains. “However, given the rapport and relationships I’ve built over the years with college coaches that I share a mutual respect with, it just made sense to provide support for the organization’s recruiting processes for its athletes.”

*****

Looking Back at Steve Jones’ Successful Run with the Hotshots.

The Hotshots softball program quickly grew into a national powerhouse since its founding over a decade ago.

Built on high standards and “quality control” in selecting the right teams, talent, and people, the organization has developed a reputation for producing high-caliber athletes and teams.

By 2018, the Hotshots were sweeping major tournaments… that summer, Hotshots teams captured national titles in the 12U, 14U and 16U divisions of the USA Elite Select World Fastpitch Championship.

The program’s rapid rise to prominence on the national stage was a testament to its strong coaching staff and commitment to player development.

As head coach of the Hotshots 12U Premier team, Jones guided his squad to a 138–9 record in the 2017-18 season, highlighted by a USA Elite Select WFC national championship and a runner-up finish at PGF Nationals.

Additionally, the young Hotshots powerhouse squad also captured titles at prestigious events like the Ronald McDonald tournament and the Texas Challenge Series.

Jones’ teams were known for their dominance – and their ability to rise to the occasion in big moments.

“Once you buy in, your teammates and coaches will always have your back and that is when special things happen,” Jones said in a 2018 FloSports, after one of his Hotshots teams swept through a national tournament. “They bought in.”

Jones coached with an infectious passion and a focus on intangibles. He preached about “camaraderie” and “sisterhood” to his young players, emphasizing that talent meant little without chemistry and trust.

His methods of instruction were highly successful.

Dozens of Jones’ protégés went on to play in college, including his own daughter, infielder Sa’Mya Jones. The talented dad coached her throughout her youth, helping her develop into a standout player who is now a freshman at LSU.

After Sa’Mya graduated from high school and headed to LSU, the longtime Hotshots leader decided to hang up his lineup card—at least for a while.

Short Retirement

He announced his retirement from coaching to focus on family and other pursuits.

However, it turns out retirement didn’t suit him for very long: just months after stepping away, Jones felt the familiar pull of the softball field and began giving private lessons to former players in his spare time.

Soon, however, the desire and pull to be back in the dugout became too strong to ignore.

It helps that—with Sa’Mya is now thriving in college–her parents recognized the value of what Steve can do for other young athletes chasing scholarships and success. Soon, the weekends at home will once again be replaced by weekends at the ballpark which is exactly how the Jones family likes it.

In the ever-competitive world of elite club softball, having a seasoned winner like Steve Jones back on board is a boon for the Hotshots.

As the summer season approaches, all eyes in the softball community will be on Texas, where a familiar figure in a red and black Hotshots polo will once again be hitting ground balls, drawing up lineups, and chasing championships.

For the Hotshots, the return of Steve Jones isn’t just a feel-good reunion, it’s a strategic move that could keep the program at the top of the softball world for years to come.

— Brentt & Shannon Eads/Line Drive Softball