Jeffcoat enters his first season as Railroaders manager in 2021. Jeffcoat served as the Railroaders pitching coach during the 2019 season, his first with the club. Under his direction, Cleburne’s pitching staff ranked among the league-leaders in several major categories, including a 3.90 team ERA that finished second on the circuit. Cleburne pitchers saw a marked statistical improvement across the board from 2018 to 2019, cutting down on walks (386 to 327) and hits allowed (961 to 892), while increasing the number of strikeouts (736 to 776). Railroaders pitchers Jesus Sanchez and Tyler Wilson were selected as American Association Mid-Season All-Stars.

 

Jeffcoat brings a wealth of experience to the Railroaders as both a player and coach. Originally a 13th round draft pick of the Cleveland Indians out of Louisiana Tech, the native of Pine Bluff, Ark., made his MLB debut in 1983, the first of three seasons he would spend with Cleveland. Jeffcoat was traded to the San Francisco Giants early in the 1985 season, and then later signed with the Texas Rangers as a free agent prior to the 1987 campaign. It was with the Rangers that Jeffcoat put together some of his best seasons as a professional, including in 1989, when he went 9-6 with a 3.58 ERA in 22 starts. After six seasons in Texas, Jeffcoat finished out his major league career in 1994 by making four appearances for the Florida Marlins.

 

Over the course of 15 pro seasons, Jeffcoat produced 110 wins to 85 losses, compiling a 3.98 ERA in more than 1,700 career innings.

 

Jeffcoat came to Cleburne after 16 seasons as head coach at Texas Wesleyan, where he built the Rams into one of the most consistently successful programs in the NAIA. Jeffcoat inherited a program in 2002 that hadn’t produced a 40-win season in more than 20 years, a mark that the Rams would reach five times under his guidance. With more than 500 career victories, Jeffcoat is the all-time winningest coach in Texas Wesleyan history, including eight appearances in the Regional/NAIA National Championship Opening Round Tournament.

 

Jeffcoat, 61, resides in Godley with his wife, Elaine. He has a daughter, Haley, two granddaughters, Olivia and Caroline, and a grandson, Jordan.