Matt Burns, Jake Combs Named Assistant Softball Coaches
7/20/2021 2:29:00 PM | Softball
The duo joins new head coach Tracey Lynch on the Cougar coaching staff
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Matt Burns and Jake Combs have joined the College of Charleston softball staff, head coach Tracey Lynch announced Tuesday. Burns comes to CofC from Longwood, while Combs spent the past two seasons as a graduate assistant at Clemson.
Burns will work directly with the hitters and infielders, and Combs will coach the outfielders while assisting Burns with hitters.
"I am thrilled to have such a dynamic staff that is eager to get started," said Lynch. "Matt and Jake both have extensive knowledge of the game and are excited to continue their education. They will be a tremendous asset in helping me restore Charleston softball to a culture of winning and competing for championships."
Burns was at Longwood in 2021 after a three-year stint at Bucknell (2018-20) where he developed one of the top offenses in the Patriot League. The Bison set a school record for home runs in a season with 36 in 2018 and produced a trio of All-Patriot League performers in Allyse Volpe, Lauren Hadley and Jess Hom.
In addition to his on-field responsibilities, Burns was the team's recruiting coordinator his first two years before taking over as acting head coach during the shortened 2020 season. Bucknell finished second in the Patriot League in 2018 and 2019, winning 55 games over that span with a 27-8 conference record.
Burns was a baseball coach at Bard College in 2013 and SUNY New Paltz in 2014 before serving as a volunteer assistant at Akron in 2015. He transitioned to softball at Skidmore and in two seasons (2016-17) mentored four NFCA All-Region players including Dani DiGregory, the school's first-ever All-American.
Burns graduated from Plattsburgh State and was a member of the baseball team from 2006-10. He also holds a Master of Science for teacher's degree.
"Coach Burns is dedicated to an individual approach with each hitter and discovering their specific strengths," said Lynch. "As our recruiting coordinator, his relationships with the travel ball circuit will be a great asset to the continued growth of our program."
Combs was part of a staff at Clemson that led the Tigers to a record of 63-16 in the first two years of the program's existence. The 2021 squad finished 44-8, captured the ACC regular season title and won two games at the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional.
Combs spent five years with the softball program at Indiana, including the 2019 season as the volunteer assistant coach. That year the Hoosiers went 36-21, was ranked in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll for the first time since 1996 and picked up wins over two Top 10 teams (No. 6 Georgia and No. 10 LSU).
A 2018 Indiana graduate with a degree in sport marketing and management, Combs was a four-year student manager for the Hoosier softball team. He also worked with travel ball teams Indiana Magic Gold and Indiana Dreams.
"Coach Combs has learned from some of the best in the softball world and has an undeniable excitement for the game and the growth of our student-athletes," said Lynch.
Burns will work directly with the hitters and infielders, and Combs will coach the outfielders while assisting Burns with hitters.
"I am thrilled to have such a dynamic staff that is eager to get started," said Lynch. "Matt and Jake both have extensive knowledge of the game and are excited to continue their education. They will be a tremendous asset in helping me restore Charleston softball to a culture of winning and competing for championships."
Burns was at Longwood in 2021 after a three-year stint at Bucknell (2018-20) where he developed one of the top offenses in the Patriot League. The Bison set a school record for home runs in a season with 36 in 2018 and produced a trio of All-Patriot League performers in Allyse Volpe, Lauren Hadley and Jess Hom.
In addition to his on-field responsibilities, Burns was the team's recruiting coordinator his first two years before taking over as acting head coach during the shortened 2020 season. Bucknell finished second in the Patriot League in 2018 and 2019, winning 55 games over that span with a 27-8 conference record.
Burns was a baseball coach at Bard College in 2013 and SUNY New Paltz in 2014 before serving as a volunteer assistant at Akron in 2015. He transitioned to softball at Skidmore and in two seasons (2016-17) mentored four NFCA All-Region players including Dani DiGregory, the school's first-ever All-American.
Burns graduated from Plattsburgh State and was a member of the baseball team from 2006-10. He also holds a Master of Science for teacher's degree.
"Coach Burns is dedicated to an individual approach with each hitter and discovering their specific strengths," said Lynch. "As our recruiting coordinator, his relationships with the travel ball circuit will be a great asset to the continued growth of our program."
Combs was part of a staff at Clemson that led the Tigers to a record of 63-16 in the first two years of the program's existence. The 2021 squad finished 44-8, captured the ACC regular season title and won two games at the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional.
Combs spent five years with the softball program at Indiana, including the 2019 season as the volunteer assistant coach. That year the Hoosiers went 36-21, was ranked in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll for the first time since 1996 and picked up wins over two Top 10 teams (No. 6 Georgia and No. 10 LSU).
A 2018 Indiana graduate with a degree in sport marketing and management, Combs was a four-year student manager for the Hoosier softball team. He also worked with travel ball teams Indiana Magic Gold and Indiana Dreams.
"Coach Combs has learned from some of the best in the softball world and has an undeniable excitement for the game and the growth of our student-athletes," said Lynch.
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