Over the past seven years the success and accomplishments of the Wrangler Baseball team have continued to improve.  One attributing factor to the success of the program is Head Coach Kurtis Lay. 

In his years at OC, the Wranglers have been to the Region V Tournament four times and in 2016-17 they were Western Junior College Athletic Conference regular season Champions. In addition to their success on the diamond, over 40 players have signed to continue their academic and athletic careers at the four year level. 

"Kurtis brought instant credibility to the Odessa College baseball program the first season he was with the Wranglers" said Athletic Director Wayne Baker.  "That very first season, with very limited recruiting opportunity, Coach Lay positioned the Wranglers in the finals of the Region 5 Baseball Championships. From that moment on, I knew that Odessa College was going to be a factor in our conference and region in the sport of baseball."

"Coach Lay has a very unique ability to be demanding and disciplined with the student-athletes, yet allow them to have fun playing the game.  I enjoy game day at our field knowing that our young men are appreciating the opportunity provided by Odessa College to be successful athletically and academically." 

Q: What are you doing during COVID-19 to stay in touch with your student-athletes?
During COVID-19 I have been in touch with many of my players concerning their future.  Since our season ended in an abrupt halt there was not enough time to have exit meetings.  With everything COVID has brought on it left the baseball community with a lot of questions.  After the NCAA came out and awarded seniors another year of eligibility I had to wait and see what the effect would be on our sophomores.  Since then I have continued to add pieces to continue to move our program in an upward ascent. 

Q: How has COVID-19 changed your approach to coaching/recruiting for next year?
COVID has not really changed my approach at all.  I am trying to find the best players and give them the best opportunity to be successful when they leave Odessa College.  If anything the sophomores who had not been heavily recruited up to the point our season ended will benefit from another full year here at Odessa College. 

Q: Hero or Role Model – Someone you look up to?
Coach Mike Krzyzewski.  I have always enjoyed watching the interaction between basketball coaches and their players.  I feel like it is the only sport where you get to see the communication and relationships that are built between a coach and a player in the heat of the game.  I have always believed he ran a classy program, built tremendous relationships with his players, and his success at Duke and with team USA are incredible achievements. 

Q: Best Part of Your Job?
Best part is that I get to be outside.  I am an outdoors person.  It is awesome that I get paid to coach the game I love, and to make the ballfield look good.

Q: Do you have any hobbies or things you like to do away from work?
I do a lot of yard work.  I enjoy seeing instant results after mowing, planting flowers, trimming shrubs, etc.  I also enjoy grilling.   Smoking a brisket, ribs, making poppers, or anything with a fire, grill and the outdoors.    

Q: Something people don't know about you?
Most people don't know that I was in choir for all four years of HS.  I was an officer my junior year and the choir president my senior year. 

Q: How has coaching changed from when you first started?
Coaching has changed tremendously with social media.  When I first started as an assistant coach 12 years ago I use to mail out questionnaires to every 5A, 4A, and 3A school.  From there I would sift through the responses and highlight guys that sounded like they could fill a need in our program.  After I identified who I was interested in I would call their HS coach and discuss his work ethic, character, and more in depth about his athleticism.  Back then I truly believed you could out work a lot of people on the recruiting side of things by making hundreds of phone calls.  Now with social media ½ of your recruiting battles come from guys who never leave their couch.  They see Perfect Game, V-Tool, or Prep Baseball Report tweet something about a kid and they make scholarship offers off a 10 second video clip.  I am always paranoid about missing a kid when I am not on the road recruiting during the summer.  However in this modern era we are in it is impossible to see everything you need to see.  At any given time there may be a dozen baseball tournaments in the state of TX all in the same age group. 

Q: What is your favorite food?
My favorite food has to be smoked BBQ.  BBQ in general is impossible to beat.  At one point last summer I think I had BBQ ten days in a row.  Odessa has a hidden gem in Johnny's BBQ.  Every Saturday they have all you can eat ribs and sides for like $15.  Well worth the price of admission. 

Q: Does pineapple go on pizza?
Pineapple only belongs on pizza if you have the long thin sliced ham.  There used to be a pizza place called "Chrystals" where I grew up in Abilene.  They had the best Canadian bacon I have ever eaten.  Pineapple can certainly go on their and only in the summer months.

Q: What is your favorite quote?
Favorite Quote:  "Great moments are born from Great Opportunity."   -Miracle-  "To whom much is given, of him shall be much required."  -Luke 12:48-

Q: If you could be any animal in the world, what would it be?
I would be a Narwhal.  About six years ago Sprint came out with a commercial about Narwhals and it was very catchy.  Narwhals can grow to be as big as a bus and are most often seen swimming with friends.  I think it would be cool to explore the ocean with all your friends. 

Q: What are some things you have learned as a Coach?
I have learned that as a coach you have to be flexible and that you can't please everybody.  When I originally began coaching I was a stickler about how long a kid's hair was.  I use to make my teams be clean shaven. I never allowed kids to wear earrings in my presence.  Now I am more selective in what battles I chose to fight.  As long as a kid is treating his teammates and others with respect, shows up on time, and does what is asked of him I let the other things go to an extent.  When I began coaching I use to think that I could make every kid happy.  At the end of the day that is just not a reality.  There will always be one kid, or numerous parents that believe that their kid is getting the short end of the stick. 

Q: What do you like about working at Odessa College?
I enjoy the fact that I get to coach at my alma mater.  Odessa College was good to me as a student athlete back in 2003-2004 and it continues to be good to me in 2020 as a coach.  I believe there is a blue collar mentality that comes with the city and institution here in Odessa.  Odessa people put on their boots and go to work.  I do the same but with tennis shoes, shorts, or sweats and expect the same from my baseball kids.  Success does not just happen because you show up.  Success happens with consistent hard work.  I know the school has seen the effects of having the same mentality.