CARSON – Jim Maier, the winningest coach in the Cal State Dominguez Hills softball program, is returning to the helm for a second stint, athletics director Jeff Falkner announced Tuesday.
 
"I would like to be the first to welcome Jim back to the Toro family," Falkner said. "I want to thank the search committee and others in the department for their help during the interview process. Given Jim's excellent track record of turning programs into championship contenders, including this one, I am excited to have him on back on board and look forward to helping him do it again."
 
Maier returns to Dominguez Hills after spending the last four seasons as head coach of Cal State San Bernardino's program. He compiled a 128-90 record at the helm of the Coyotes while making the NCAA West Regional appearances the last two years.
 
In addition to continue leading the Toro softball program again, Maier's return to Carson allows him to be closer to his wife Lori and sons Jared and Kyle. His oldest son, Jake, is a junior quarterback for the UC Davis football team. 
 
"I want to thank Jeff, {associate athletics director} Dr. Jamie Purnell and the hiring committee for giving me the opportunity to come home to Cal State Dominguez Hills," Maier said. "I believe in Dominguez Hills, it's a great place. We have had a lot of success when I was here the first time and it is a blessing for me to be able to come back to the place I started."
 
He began his first stint with Dominguez Hills in 2001, and in 13 seasons he went 460-273-2 overall and 253-169 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). He coached the Toros to a pair of first-place finishes in the CCAA and made the postseason seven times, including a NCAA Super Regional final appearance in 2012. Maier was named CCAA Coach of the Year in 2005 and has coached five All-Americans, including current pitching coach Stephanie Guerra.
 
With the season opener three months away, Maier plans to take it one step at a time and install the new system in place during the first season.
 
"I think the biggest challenge is introducing yourself to a new set of players, especially taking it on with the season this close to starting. I did that at San Bernardino," Maier said. "I think it'll be getting to know the new players and see if do they fit in what we are trying to accomplish."
 
Maier will be retaining his former players and current assistant coaches Katie Garcia and Guerra. Garcia served as interim head coach during the fall semester and has been piloting the Toros in several exhibition contests this month.
 
"Katie and Stephanie did a great job leading the program while we searched for the next head coach," Falkner said. "I can't thank them enough for their commitment to the program."
 
The Toros open the season February 1 at the Desert Stinger in Las Vegas, Nevada.