Kyle Lem to coach UAM softball
UAM Athletics
Devon Lucal, Assistant Director of Athletics for Athletic Communications
MONTICELLO — Kyle Lem has been named interim softball coach at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
Lem was an assistant coach for the late Alvy Early for the past three seasons, assisting Early in all phases of the program. He served as recruiting coordinator, organizing campus visits and recruiting events. He also worked with UAM pitchers and was responsible for in-game pitch calling.
“I am pleased that Kyle has accepted our offer to serve as interim coach for the 2018-19 season,” said UAM Chancellor Karla Hughes. “Kyle has worked very hard this spring and summer under extraordinarily difficult circumstances to maintain the continuity of the program during Coach Early’s illness and untimely passing. I think it’s important to the program and particularly to our student-athletes that Kyle continues to lead the softball team. He learned from the best.”
According to Hughes, UAM will begin a national search for a head coach next spring and indicated that Lem could be a candidate. “We felt the timing was not right to begin a search now and this will give Coach Lem the opportunity to put his stamp on the program,” Hughes said.
“I am extremely excited and grateful to Chancellor Hughes and everyone at UAM for giving me this opportunity,” Lem said. “I’m so thankful for Coach Early and the opportunity he gave me. I’ll try my best to walk the path Coach Early created.”
Lem holds a bachelor of science in education degree in physical education and a master of science in sports administration from Henderson State University. He taught and coached at Glen Rose Middle School from 2007 to 2012 before coming to Monticello Middle School, where he taught while serving as head coach of the seventh grade football team and assistant softball coach.
He joined SubTeachUSA in 2013 before taking a post at Mansfield Middle School as a teacher and coach. He came to UAM in 2014 as a graduate assistant softball coach and was promoted to full-time assistant in 2015.