In her first year as a volunteer assistant coach for the Titans, Caitlin Grimes will manage hitters and work primarily with catchers.

Before serving as the director of operations for the Fullerton softball program last season, Grimes played at North Texas where she started all 55 games behind the plate in her senior season and finished with 10 home runs, 32 RBI and a .317 average. Grimes was also named to the all-tournament team at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Classic, as she led the tournament with six RBI. The standout catcher also earned Sun Belt Conference Co-Player of the Week honors in her senior campaign as well. Academically, Grimes was named to the Sun Belt Commissioner’s All Academic List in her final two seasons with the Mean Green (2011-12) and the Dean’s List in 2010.

Prior to committing to North Texas, Grimes went to Arcadia High School in Arcadia, Calif., where she was named team MVP and All-Pacific League First Team as a senior. She also earned second team honors three times during her high school career, while being a part of two league titles as well.

Grimes grew up in Arcadia, Calif., and participated in a good number of Titan Softball Camps when she was younger. The former North Texas catcher’s decision to come work with the Fullerton softball program all came down to coming back home.

“I loved the idea of coming back home,” Grimes said. “I left when I was 17 to go to college out in Texas and didn’t move back home until I got in contact with Coach Ford. She was interested in having me on as the Director of Operations. I was ready to be home. I had amazing experiences living and coaching in Texas and Louisiana, but it was a perfect time to come home. Plus, I was actually going to be able to see my little sister, Kenzie Grimes, finally play softball.”

When asked “what is special about coaching for CSUF,” coach Grimes has this to say.

“The top of my list is being able to work with these amazing athletes,” Grimes said. “I love these kids and the support team they have around them. We really have some amazing talent and I know these kid are going to do some big things for this program. Coach Ford is one of the most generous, kindest and loving coaches in softball. I’m so happy to learn from her. This staff is a one in a million, with coach (Jorge) Araujo and coach (Tori) Tyson, we make an unbeatable team. This is my dream job.”