Aubrey ISD Athletics Director Keith Ivy has announced the hiring of James Ramsey as the Aubrey High School softball coach. Coach Ramsey replaces Shon Ranton, who made the decision to step down due to stress and health reasons. 

Coach Ranton coached the softball program at Aubrey for the last 28 years, recording an overall record of 585-229-4 and consistently made deep runs in the playoffs. 

Coach Ranton had two of his most successful seasons in 2021 and 2022. The Lady Chaps were back-to-back bi-district champions, area champions and region quarterfinal champions. In 2021, Coach Ranton led Aubrey to the region finals. Overall, Coach Ranton teams at Aubrey won 13 district champions, 10 bi-district championships and 12 area championships. His teams won three region finals, played in three state tournaments and were state runner up twice. 

“Aubrey High School softball has experienced huge success under Coach Ranton’s leadership,” Aubrey ISD Superintendent Dr. David Belding said. “He has set a high standard of excellence and we are grateful for the years of service he gave as our head coach.”  “I am excited to see where Coach Ramsey takes the program.  Finding someone of his quality to follow Coach Ranton is significant for Aubrey ISD. The future is bright for our players and program.” 

Coach Ramsey is no stranger to winning programs. He has amassed 450 career wins in 23 years of coaching high school softball. His teams have advanced to the playoffs 18 times, culminating with a state title in 2013 with Pilot Point.

“We are extremely excited about the hiring of Coach Ramsey and all of the experience that he will bring to the softball program,” Ivy said. “On behalf of the entire Aubrey ISD community, I would like to thank Coach Shon Ranton on an incredible 28-year career. He built an extremely successful softball program.”

Coach Ramsey coached at Pilot Point from 2006-20 and was named the Denton County All-Area Coach of the Year in 2012 and 2013 and the Texas Sportswriters Softball Class 2A Coach of the Year in 2013. Coach Ramsey is also a seven-time district coach of the year. In the last two years, he has coached at Crandall High School and Collinsville High School.