Jayci Craig is new BCISD softball head coach
CAPTION: Sophomore Braelyn Smith (left) and softball head coach Jayci Craig. Courtesy photo
Burnet Middle School coach Jayci Craig is the new softball head coach at Burnet High School.
The school district announced her promotion May 21.
“We are very excited about Jayci Craig,” said Dr. Aaron Peña, Burnet Consolidated Independent School District superintendent. “She played and understands the game. She’s a Lady Dawg herself. We think she’s going to do a fantastic job.”
Craig “was born and raised in Burnet.” She is a 2018 Burnet High School graduate who spent many years watching the Bulldogs and Lady Dawgs compete. She and her two brothers, Jathan and Jeston Craig, all wore the Kelly green and white as athletes and embodied the Spirit, Pride and Honor mantra the school district lives by.
Jayci Craig became a student athlete in the seventh grade and stopped when she graduated. She competed in volleyball, basketball, powerlifting and softball. She was a member of some incredible squads that advanced to the playoffs in each team sport. As a powerlifter, she qualified for the state meet all four years.
After graduating from Tarleton State University in 2022, she became the Outdoor Adventure teacher and a coach at Burnet Middle School.
Girls athletic coordinator Crystal Shipley noted Craig has a knack for getting her students and athletes to give their all.
“Her passion and pride being a Lady Dawg shines through, and I think that is the first step to getting our kids to work for you,” she said. “She bleeds green and loves her hometown. She is invested in all of our programs.”
Pena noted Craig wasn’t simply promoted. She was treated like other candidates, who applied and interviewed. In the end, a unanimous recommendation to promote her was made.
“She went through the process and she had to earn that spot,” he said. “They feel she’ll be the best for this program. She has paid her dues. Players and parents will get behind her and rally around her.”
Shipley pointed out that Craig wants to do the best job she can by having conversations with veteran coaches that are helping her to take the next step in her career.
“She just continues to grow by asking questions and learning all she can,” she said. “She understands what it takes to be great and will do whatever it takes to help our kids succeed in all programs.”
Craig takes over after another alumna, Allison Tippie, resigned to become the volleyball head coach at Lampasas High School.
The Burnet softball program has advanced to the playoffs four of the last five years. In 2023, the Lady Dawgs had a 28-12 overall record and won the district championship en route to winning three playoff series. The season ended in the Class 4A regional semifinals to Liberty.
The 2026 team is expected to return nine lettermen led by rising seniors Peyton Allen, Journey Denton, Halle Maxwell, Carlee Williams and Kendall Winkley.
The top four District 24-4A teams in 2025 were led by gifted senior pitchers, including Burnet’s Presley Crawford, who signed with Sul Ross University.
