Coaching Staff

Head Coach- Craig Moore
cmoore@wtc.edu
325-574-7697

Craig Moore is entering his fourth year as head baseball coach at Western Texas College.  Under his leadership, the program has reached new heights in each of his three seasons, including a school record in wins during the 2009 campaign.  Besides victories, there also has been an increase in the talent level. 

Moore's first recruiting class resulted in two players being selected in the 2008 MLB draft.  First baseman Mitch Delaney was selected by the New York Yankees in the 20th round.  Also selected that year was outfielder George Agyapong-Mensah, in the 44th round by the Toronto Blue Jays. 

The class also produced numerous D-I and D-II signees, to such places as William & Mary, Tarleton State, UTPB, and Northern State.  In the classroom under Moore, the Westerners have had five out of six semesters with a team GPA of at least a 3.0 or better, including a 3.29 GPA in the spring of 2007 that ranked the program fourth in the country.

Prior to his arrival to WTC, Coach Moore was the recruiting coordinator and top assistant at Division I Tennessee Tech University for three years, under current head coach Matt Bragga.  During his time at TTU, the talent level in the program was dramatically increased as two recruits were drafted in the MLB draft and several others earned all-conference honors.  Moore worked with the outfielders, infielders, and hitters and oversaw several administrative duties.  Moore's defensive units never had below a .955 fielding percentage, which put them in the top third of the conference every year.  Another accomplishment at TTU that Moore oversaw was the overall team GPA reaching the highest mark in 15 years in 2005. 

Moore started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Lake Erie College, where he helped start the program from scratch.  In its second year of existence, the program increased its win total from 0 in the first year to 11 in its second year.

Following a stellar high school career at Archbishop Bergan High School, Moore was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1996 MLB draft.  Moore opted instead for college baseball and headed to the University of Nebraska.  During his stay at Nebraska, Moore was a four-year starter and letter winner, as well as an academic all-conference pick.  In the spring of 1999, Moore tied a school-record with 10 RBIs in a game.  Moore's career ended on a high note as the Huskers won the Big XII Championship and appeared in a regional tournament. 

At Nebraska, Moore played for current Arkansas Head Coach Dave Van Horn, current Nebraska head coach Mike Anderson, and current Texas A&M head coach Rob Childress.  Moore also had the opportunity to play alongside future big leaguers Todd Sears (Minnesota), Ken Harvey (Kansas City), Jamal Strong (Seattle), Adam Stern (Atlanta and Boston), and Adam Shabala (San Francisco).

A native of Fremont, Neb., Moore holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Nebraska, and a master's degree from Lake Erie College in business administration.  Moore currently resides in Snyder with his wife, Alison, and their two-year-old son, Jaxon.

Assistant Coach - Kurtis Lay
Pitching Coach & Recruiting Coordinator
klay@wtc.edu
325-574-7697

Kurtis Lay is entering his second year as an assistant coach at Western Texas College.  At Western Texas Kurtis will be counted on to manage the pitching staff and serve in the role as recruiting coordinator.  Prior to his arrival to Western Texas Kurtis spent two years as a graduate assistant for the Lubbock Christian University Chaparrals.  In his two years at Lubbock Christian Kurtis served as the head coach for the JV program and as a third assistant for the varsity program.  In Kurtis’s two years with the Chaparrals they achieved a record of 86 wins and 17 losses.  During his final term with the chaps they went a perfect 20 and 0 in Sooner Athletic Conference play and achieved the National number one ranking with a final record of 53 and 4.  Kurtis has also coached summer baseball with the Burkburnett Blacksox and Lubbock Hubbers and this past summer he helped with the off season winter development and was on the road recruiting in Western Australia.     

Kurtis is originally from Abilene, TX and graduated from Abilene Cooper in 2002.   Kurtis played junior college ball at North Central Texas College and Odessa College before returning home his junior and senior seasons to play for Coach Steve Coleman and the Hardin Simmons University Cowboys.  While with the Hardin Simmons Cowboys Kurtis was a pitcher and designated hitter and achieved all region NABC honors during his junior year. 

Kurtis received his Bachelor of Science in Sports Fitness from Hardin Simmons University and in the winter of 2008 he received his Master of Education in Special Education from Lubbock Christian University.  He currently resides in Snyder.    

Assistant Coach - Cameron Dodd
cdodd@wtc.edu
325-574-7697

Cameron Dodd is entering his 1st season as an assistant coach at Western Texas College.  Coach Dodd will be in charge of the infielders and base running.  During the previous two years Coach Dodd was a graduate assistant coach at his alma mater Northwest Missouri State University.  At Northwest, Dodd was in charge of the corner infielders and served as 1st base coach on game day.  Prior to Northwest, Coach Dodd spent time at East Union High School in his hometown of Manteca, CA, and later at Peru State College in NE.  This past summer Dodd helped coach the newly established St. Joseph Mustangs of the collegiate summer MINK League.
A native of Manteca, CA, Dodd attended East Union High School before continuing his playing career at San Joaquin Delta Community College.  At Delta Dodd played alongside Yankee relief pitcher Phil Coke and was awarded defensive MVP following his sophomore campaign.  After two years at the junior college level, Dodd went on to NCAA D2 Northwest Missouri State University.  His final season at Northwest produced one of the best team offensive seasons in school history as that squad set the mark for most hits, runs, and RBIs, while finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively in home runs and batting average. 

Dodd received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management and his Masters of Science in Health and Physical Education from Northwest Missouri State University.