Coach John Stein has been coaching softball in various settings for the last 12 years, including recreational leagues, travel leagues, high schools, and through private lessons. He traces his passion for the sport back to his childhood in the St. Louis area, where growing up a Cardinals fan is both an expectation and a privilege! At the age of 5 he told his parents that – when he grew up – he wanted to play baseball and then preach in the off-season. A Methodist preacher for over 30 years, his two greatest passions are still preaching and baseball/softball.

After coaching his sons in baseball, Coach Stein started coaching his daughter’s little league softball teams when she was 10 years old, and he’s never looked back. A year later she announced her intention to play in college, and Coach Stein knew he had to up his own game to help hers. He began to study the game, learning from his daughter’s private coaches, attending seminars and clinics, and even connecting with retired pro players and one long-time MLB star. He still loves learning! Most recently, Coach Stein coached at Northwood and Ledford high schools, where he’s focused primarily on pitching, infield, and hitting. Several of his players have gone on to play at the collegiate level. He believes playing (and coaching) is an act of faith, whereupon you honor God who has given opportunity and passion to play.

He comes from a remarkable family, which includes a college professor, a NASA data specialist, an AI researcher, and a teacher in youth nature education (who also has 6 pet tarantulas). Beginning with Coach Stein’s father, there are three straight generations of Eagle Scouts, with a fourth generation already underway.

He has three children. The oldest son was a professional singer and stage actor who now works in Charlotte as a health insurance account manager. He and his wife are raising their first child. His second son is a US Navy submariner, currently in Guam, assigned to the USS Asheville as a sonar technician. His daughter is the youngest. She is a college senior and a pitcher for Meredith College. An Academic All-Conference player, she’s completed requirements for a math degree from Meredith, and upon graduation next year, will also have a degree in mechanical engineering from NC State. All three are actively engaged in their faith, and all three are Cardinals fans. God is good!

Danielle is a proud alumna of Carolina University, earning her BBA in Business Administration in May 2024 and her MBA with a concentration in Management in May 2025. Her academic experience strengthened her leadership, organizational, and strategic decision-making skills.

During her five-year collegiate softball career, Danielle earned numerous athletic and academic distinctions, including NCCAA Second-Team All-American, CAC Second-Team All-Conference (2025), multiple All-Region selections (2022–2025), and three Scholar Athlete honors. She also helped lead her team to a regional championship in 2021 and graduated Cum Laude in 2024 and Magna Cum Laude in 2025.

Danielle leaves a lasting legacy at Carolina University as one of the most accomplished pitchers in program history, holding every major pitching record. Her consistency, work ethic, and leadership set a standard for future student-athletes and contributed to elevating the program for years to come.