SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose State softball head coach Tammy Lohmann has filled the final spot on her coaching staff with the hiring of James Davenport. A former two-sport professional athlete, Davenport will serve as the Spartans' hitting coach.
"We're excited to announce the addition of James Davenport to our coaching staff," Lohmann said. "James brings great experience, a wealth of knowledge and a deep connection to the community. His energy and passion for player development and winning mentality speaks volumes. We welcome him to the Spartan Family and look forward to him evaluating our hitters and our program's offensive numbers."
Davenport joins the Spartans from Texas Tech University Softball where he served as the Red Raiders' outfielders coach during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. Prior to that, he spent one season specializing in personal player development for the San Francisco Giants. A former professional baseball player himself, Davenport assisted with the Giants' individual work in the infield, outfield and catching, as well as hitting and base running.
Davenport began his softball coaching career in 2015 as a volunteer assistant for CSUN. During his time with the Matadors, CSUN captured the Big West championship title with a 41-17 record. With Davenport's tutelage, sophomore Katie Hooper became the program's first-ever Big West Offensive Player of the Year winner after leading the league in RBI (55) and homeruns (15).
First beginning his collegiate athletic career as a baseball player at the University of Tennessee in 2003, Davenport transferred to Ohlone College in the latter part of 2003 and saw major success with the program. He helped lead the Renegades to the 2003-04 JUCO Pacific Coast Championship and JUCO NoCal Championship titles, as well as a runner-up finish at the JUCO California State Championship in 2004. He then transferred to Cumberland University and helped lead the squad to a NAIA World Series appearance in 2005.
Following his successful collegiate career, Davenport got the opportunity to play professional baseball and made his debut in 2007 as a member of the Seattle Mariners organization. After leading his team to the AZ Rookie League Championship, he was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Davenport also made a High A Cal League Championship appearance in 2008 before moving on to play with the Joliet Jackhammers in 2009.
Davenport spent last season on staff at Texas Tech University.
In 2010, Davenport received his first coaching job as a volunteer coach for the San Francisco Giants during their World Series Championship season. He then decided to return to college to pursue a football career. In 2011, he made his collegiate debut at Chabot College where he helped lead the team to the JUCO Golden Gate Conference Championship. He then played for Faulkner University and won a NAIA Mid-South Conference Championship title in 2014.
Davenport tested the NFL waters in 2014 where he earned a spot on the San Francisco 49ers reserve team. He then attended training camps for the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks following his lone season on staff at CSUN.
"I want to thank Coach Tammy for giving me this opportunity to be part of the Spartan softball program," Davenport said. "Ever since we worked camp together in 2015, she has encouraged me to finish my degree and make the jump from baseball to softball. I couldn't be happier to make this dream come true with the coach who first motivated it all. I cannot wait to start working with the players and hit the ground running."
Davenport received an associate's degree in Kinesiology from Chabot College in 2012 and earned his bachelor's in leadership studies at the University of Alabama in 2019. He and his fiancé, fellow San Jose State softball assistant coach Letty Olivarez, reside in the Bay Area and have one daughter, Neveah Blaze Davenport.