PROFESSIONAL COACHES
DEDICATED TO HELPING YOU SURPASS YOUR TRAINING GOALS, IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS AND GAIN CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF.
Our passionate experts and sports educators will provide a safe and fun environment where everyone can get active, learn and achieve their potential and simply be better than they were the day before.
Coach Austin Starling | Baseball
We are thrilled to have Coach Austin Starling as a part of our amazing coaching team here at Relentless. He comes to us with solid coaching experience under his belt, and has been well received by Relentless clients. He was a 4 year varsity starter at North Cobb High School in Acworth, and was also nominated to the annual Ga underclassman top 100 list. Coach Starling went on to play as a 3rd baseman for two additional years at University of Pikeville in Kentucky. He brings to the team infield, hitting and pitching and catching skills and is ready to help bring out the best in your player. He believes in strong focus and loves to simplify the hitting process for so all players can be successful.
Coach Todd Kirby | Baseball
Coach Todd Kirby has been a baseball instructor since 2012. He has coached travel baseball and youth football for many years. Coach Todd teaches baseball hitting, and specializes in pitching for athletes in middle school through college ages. He has two talented sons that play baseball and football at Etowah High School. Coach Todd's baseball career:
2013 inducted into KSU Hall of Fame
2009 inducted into Effingham County High School Hall of Fame (3 year letterman and MVP all three years)
1995-1997 Played professional baseball with the Spartanburg Alley Cats (Independent League)
1993-1995 Kennesaw State University NAIA World Series Championship; College World Series MVP
1991-1993 Middle Georgia College JUCO World Series runner up
Coach Kalon Smith | Baseball
Coach Kalon has been playing baseball for most of his life, following in his father's footsteps. After playing three years at Sequoyah High School, Kalon was blessed to have the opportunity to play college baseball at Covenant College in the North Georgia Mountains. Coach Kalon takes a unique approach to coaching, working to meet each of his clients right where they are. He works hard to figure out what makes them tick and quickly builds a trusting relationship with them. He make sure players work hard but also always remember that the game is a game and loving the game is key. He loves the opportunity to work on batting fundamentals, and really enjoys teaching strong defense skills.
Coach Jarrod Brown | Baseball/Softball
Jarrod was born and raised in Acworth. He started playing baseball at age 3. He continued to play high school baseball at North Cobb, where he received the USMC Distinguished Athlete Award for performance on and off the field. He went on to be part of the Southern Polytechnic 2004 Conference
Champions.
After his playing days were done he continued in baseball through coaching and private instruction. Jarrod held various head and assistant coaching roles with North Cobb, The Walker School, Nelson Baseball School, and various youth baseball organizations. He was also an instructor at multiple college
summer camps including some SEC schools and local junior colleges. His private instruction includes 10+ years of lessons in all aspects of baseball and softball. He has worked
with athletes from 5 years old through professional baseball.
Jarrod is a student of the game and loves learning the how’s and why’s. He had the opportunity to work with multiple MLB coaches and players who taught him skills that can be successful at all levels of baseball. Jarrod gets true joy out of helping his students realize their goals.
Jarrod met his wife while playing softball with her and they got married in 2010, and they currently reside in Woodstock. They are huge Braves fans and attend as many games as their schedules allow.
They have a daughter, Maddux, and a son, Myles, and an awesome dog, Bella. In his free time Jarrod enjoys playing golf, gardening, and cooking for his family.
Coach Bryan Blough | Baseball
The ability to relate to players is what makes a coach be better than great. Players gravitate to Coach Bryan as he considers himself a "Big Kid” and can relate to them well. Coach Bryan played high school ball all 4 years at East Coweta High School in Newnan, followed by four years of being blessed to play ball at the collegiate level. He started at Okaloosa Walton College in Destin, FL. He played a second year at Middle Georgia College making it to the JUCO World Series in Colorado. His third and fourth years were played at Kennesaw State where he was drafted in the 18th round by the Chicago White Sox. He was blessed to play 5 years with them as a starting pitcher, middle reliever, and even a closer. He has has plenty of pitching experiences that have led him to be well versed in the mental game. He likes helping pitchers learn to navigate the highs and lows of the game and the thought process, in addition to pitching mechanics. Bryan has been coaching for the last 5 years at Nelson Baseball School and East Cobb Baseball roving as a pitching instructor and assistant coach. Coach Bryan was always inspired and driven to push through pain from hard work, knowing that he was blessed to have the opportunity, knowing there were others who would kill to play ball but could not because of a physical inhibitor or even mental. He understands that playing ball is indeed a privilege. As a player, he played for his Grandpa who passed when he was only 15. His last words to Bryan were “play ball” , and indeed he did. Coach Bryan is excited to be a part of the Relentless team and looks forward to sharing this knowledge and determination with our up and coming ballplayers.
When he is not doing baseball things, you can find him hanging out with his best friend Frank, his Chocolate Lab. He likes to travel, play golf, hike, fish, paddleboard and play Call of Duty.
Coach Alex Gray | Softball/Baseball
Coach Gray just finished his 6 th season as the Head Softball Coach for Woodstock High
School. Under his guidance, Woodstock Fastpitch has reached the playoffs four times in
six seasons with the 2018, 2019 and 2021 teams reaching the Sweet 16. Coach Gray was
named Coach of the Year in 2018 and has been fortunate to see eight of his players
sign college scholarships.
Prior to Woodstock, Gray served as the head softball coach for Oglethorpe County High
School and led the program to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history.Coach Gray came to Oglethorpe County High school from Ball State University where he served as the Assistant Softball Coach for the 2014-2015 season. Gray’s efforts helped Ball State to win the Mid-American Conference West Division before claiming the 2015 MAC Tournament Championship, earning the Cardinals an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Ball State defeated 16 th -seeded Notre Dame in
postseason action to record its first-ever NCAA Regional victory.
Gray spent two seasons in the same position at The University of Connecticut where he served as the hitting coach, while also working with the infielders and outfielders. He helped a pair of Huskies earn All-Big East Second Team accolades in 2013, while the team combined to post 40 home runs which stands as the second-best single-season total in program history.
Gray spent three seasons (2009-11) as the
head softball coach at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga. He led the Vikettes to a 67-34 record and was named the 2010 and 2011 Region 1-AAAAA Coach of the Year.
His teams won regional titles in 2010 and 2011, with the 2010 squad posting a 24-8
overall record, advancing to the Elite 8 and finishing the year ranked eighth in the state.
Gray was also named the head coach for the South All-Star Team in the 2012 GACA
Softball Showcase.
Gray served as the head softball coach at Richmond Hill High School in Richmond
Hill, Ga., in 2009, leading the Lady Wildcats to their first appearance in the state
playoffs.
Gray began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Valdosta State University
softball team in 2002, helping guide the program to a Gulf South Conference
championship.
Gray was a four-year letterwinner in baseball, playing two seasons at both Young
Harris College (1998-99) and Valdosta State University (2000-01). He was first-team all-
conference selection at YHC in 1999, while earning the Baseball Spirit Award at VSU in
2001. Gray was a .342 (122-for-356) career hitter in his two seasons at Valdosta State,
racking up 20 doubles, 12 home runs, 64 runs scored and 77 RBI for the Blazers.
Gray earned his associate degree in recreation from Young Harris, a bachelor in
speech communications from Valdosta State, a master’s degree in Physical Education
with a Coaching Specialization from Ball State, and his Education Specialist in Coaching Pedagogy from Valdosta State. Coach Gray resides in Canton with his wife
and two children.
Coach Jayson Foster | Speed/Agility | Football
Coach Jayson Foster is something of a celebrity here in Cherokee County, but you would never know if from his humble demeanor. Coach Foster was a standout football player for Cherokee County High School earning numerous awards and accolades including being named All County Defensive Player of the Year multiple years. Coach Foster then went on to play Football at Georgia Southern University, where he broke records left and right, earning more awards and accolades for his skills in multiple positions across the field. At GSU, he was named Freshman of the Year by the Southern conference coaches, then as a Sophomore went on the set conference rushing records, scoring touchdowns in all 12 of the season games. He finished his years as an Eagle setting school records for 3047 yards of offense and earning the Walter Payton Award. In 2018 Coach Foster was inducted into the Georgia Southern Sports Hall of Fame, then in 2019, Coach Foster was inducted into the Cherokee High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Coach Foster is fantastic working with athletes of all ages and skill levels. He works with young football players learning the game as well as those who have all the advanced skills that simply need fine tuning. He also runs speed and agility classes in addition to working one on one with clients for individualized skill improvement. He has a unique ability to encourage his clients and help them build a confidence to go with the skills they are learning. He for sure teaches all the clients he works with, the true value of our favorite phrase- "put in the work" ! We are so blessed to have him as part of our team at Relentless.
Coach Grace Botti | Softball
Grace is a native of Woodstock where she attended Woodstock High School from 2011-2015. She went on to play collegiate softball at Young Harris College from 2015-2019. She majored in Communication Studies with a minor in Sports Studies and Popular Culture. In her four years at YHC, she had 4 Regional Tournament appearances, 2 Superregional Tournament appearances, and 1 trip to the Division II National Championships where the team placed 4th. She was named to the Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team from 2017-2019. She was a recipient of the 2019 DII ADA Academic Achievement Award. For the 2018 season, she was named to the Peach Belt All-Conference First Team. Grace is ranked 1st in the YHC record books in walks, 2nd in RBI’s, 3rd in games played and sac flies, 4th in games started, 5th in home runs, 8th in at-bats, and 9th in runs, doubles, and hits. Grace specializes in catching, hitting, fielding, and pitching instruction and is eager to teach young athletes how to excel at all levels of the game!
Coach Maddie Reid | Softball
Coach Maddie is a valuable asset to our Relentless Team. She has grown up as a Georgia girl, attending Woodstock High School from 2013-2017. She played softball at Woodstock and was honorable mention for All Region for 2015 and 2016. She excelled as a travel ball as part of the Georgia Academy Power program as well. Maddie played at the collegiate level at West Georgia Tech for two years, but was eventually sidelined by a shoulder injury. She has over 15 years of softball experience and is excited to help young players develop and improve their softball skills. Coach Maddie works with players at all levels from the beginner rec ball player to the more advanced travel ball athlete. She relates well to the girls and helps them work to find thier best potential.
Coach Austin Daman | Baseball
Coach Austin played baseball at Gilmer High School where he was a first team and second team all conference pitcher and outfielder. During his freshman year, he had the lowest ERA in the state with a 0.83 after 30+ innings pitched. He held a 300 career batting average at Gilmer High School. He played baseball for the East Cobb Astros for several seasons, further developing him into a solid skilled ballplayer. Coach Daman was blessed to have received a scholarship to play baseball at Reinhardt University. Ultimately he was sidelined due to a labrum tear and subsequent surgery. Although his playing days are done, he enjoys the opportunity to give back to younger players and the game he loves through instruction. Coach Austin works with hitting, pitching and fielding and is looks forward to each lesson and working with all the clients he can.
Coach Lee Hyde | Baseball
We are so very blessed to have added Lee Hyde to our team. Lee is married to his wife of 12 years, Susanne and he has two awesome kiddos, Charlotte and Noah. He coaches both Charlotte (softball) and Noah (baseball) at South Cherokee, so you may have seen him around the community. Coach Hyde is a humble guy, you may never know he played pro ball and has some much amazing baseball knowledge, but what you will see right away, is his unique ability to connect to a player and help him do better.Coach Hyde played three years at Georgia Tech where he primarily pitched, but also played outfield. He was on the 2006 College World Series team at GT and got to start the first game of the tournament against Clemson. He was then drafted after his Junior year at GT, by the Atlanta Braves in the 4th round. During his first full season he was held up by Tommy John surgery.
After rehabbing, Lee was invited to the Arizona Fall League in 2009. It took no time at all for him to be added to the Braves 40 man roster and invited to Major League Camp. The highlight of his career was getting to share a clubhouse and dugout with Bobby Cox in his last season as the Braves manager that Spring.
In 2011, after being released from the Braves, the Nationals claimed him on their 40 man roster where he spent a year in AAA, next moving on to sign a free agent contract with the Yankees, playing between the AA and AAA clubs.
He was a free agent again after that season and signed a contract with the Reds in 2013, which would be the best year of his career. At one point, he went 39 innings over 39 consecutive appearances out of the bullpen without giving up a run. He finished the season with a 1.98 ERA. After such a season, he earned himself a Major League ST invite from the Reds for the following season.
Later in 2014, he was released by the Reds. He played a short stint of Independent ball in Somerset before going back to to finish his degree at GT, the place where it all started.
Now he finds his love for the game in coaching his own kids and is excited to share that love with others with local rec players and the players at Relentless. He believes that the game must be fun in order for players to do the very best, especially at the younger ages.
Coach Chris Sears | Baseball
We are so excited to add Coach Chris as the newest professional Coach on our Relentless Team. He's new to Relentless, but brings with him, a love for the game and an extensive coaching experience . Chris played high school baseball in Cobb County, playing for both North Cobb and Kennesaw Mountain. Chris was a multiple sport letterman and team captain, playing baseball, football, and wrestling. Chris’s offensive production kept him ranked among county leaders in most offensive categories, earning all county accolades his last year. He played collegiately at Oglethorpe University, transferring into KSU where he graduated with a degree in Health and Physical Education.
Chris’s coaching and individual instruction experiences include time with STaFF Athletics (17U showcase team, placing 5th BEST World Series), Braski Sports, Cobb Sports Baseball, and GA Academy. Chris works as a physical education teacher here in Cherokee County, where he spent 2 years coaching baseball at Sequoyah High School, and 4 years at Etowah as a varsity fastpitch coach- with multiple appearances in the state tournament. Additionally, Chris is a multi-certified personal trainer (ISSA, IFTA) and is passionate about keeping kids active and healthy. He lives in Canton with his wife, Stacy, and his two children, Cole (14) and Ansley (11). Coach Chris can't wait to help your player be the best version of themselves.
JOIN THE TEAM
We are always looking for experienced trainers and support staff. For more information, please complete the form below, or email: train@relentlessga.com.