Sterling College Athletics
Sterling College Athletics and Director of Athletics Justin Morris announced today that head softball coach Taylor Lira has resigned from her position.
"While we are extremely sad to see Coach Lira step down, we are very excited for her to move on to such a great opportunity. Coach Lira has done a tremendous job rebuilding our softball program and has brought many things to our program that we are very proud of. We wish her all the best as she moves into the next step of her career," Morris said.
Lira began her head coaching tenure at Sterling in May 2020 and has coached for the past five seasons. In the 2024-25 season, Lira led Sterling softball to a program record of 37 wins and advanced to the KCAC Tournament as well as the NCCAA Softball World Series Final Four.
The Lady Warrior Softball team has shown tremendous growth on and off the field as well as on campus during Lira's time. In 2022-23, Sterling Softball received the NAIA Champions of Character Team Award for its exemplary character on the field, on campus, and in the community.
"This decision was not made lightly, as the past five years at Sterling have been some of the most formative and rewarding of my life. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities I have had to grow spiritually, professionally and personally. From coaching and mentoring student-athletes to collaborating with an incredible team of colleagues, my experience here has been truly life-changing," Lira said.
Lira will be heading to St. Mary's University, an NCAA DII school located in San Antonio, Texas, as the next head coach of the Rattlers.
"Sterling College has been more than a workplace—it has been a home. I will always cherish the relationships built, the lives impacted, and the mission we shared to glorify Christ through sport and education," Lira said.
A nationwide search is already underway to identify the next Head Coach for the softball program here at Sterling College.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #swordsup. Watch all of the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.