RINDGE, N.H. - Franklin Pierce University Athletics has announced the promotion of James Rines to head coach of the Ravens softball program.

Rines takes over the program following the departure of Lily Rivera, who has stepped down from her position as head softball coach at Franklin Pierce. Rivera joined the Ravens in July 2026 after previously serving as head softball coach at Gordon College. Franklin Pierce Athletics thanks Rivera for her contributions to the program and wishes her well in her future endeavors.

"I value the relationships I've built throughout my coaching career and look forward to the next chapter professionally," said Rivera.

Rines has been a member of the Franklin Pierce softball coaching staff since joining the program as a volunteer assistant coach in 2021 and brings more than three decades of coaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels.

Before arriving at Franklin Pierce, Rines served as an assistant coach at Plymouth State University from 2008 to 2014. Rines also founded the New England Diamond Gems program in 1994 and continues to serve as the program's leader and head coach of the 16U Gold team. Since its creation, Rines has helped pave the way for 140 student-athletes to compete at the collegiate level.

Rines has also built an accomplished career at the high school level, compiling a 327-107 career record while helping produce 41 Division II All-State selections, four Pitchers of the Year and four Players of the Year.

From 1994 to 2007, Rines served as the head coach at Souhegan High School, where he led the program to the 2003 Division II state championship and six Division II state runner-up finishes. He was named Division II Coach of the Year three times, earning the honor in 2001, 2003, and 2005, and was twice recognized with the Sportsmanship Award.

Rines later served as the head coach at Milford High School from 2015 to 2019, guiding the program to back-to-back Division II state championships in 2016 and 2017. He also earned Division II Coach of the Year honors and received both the Sportsmanship Award and Glenn Colburn Umpire Award during his tenure.

Rines will now lead the Ravens into the 2027 season, while Justine Carranza will continue to serve as a graduate assistant before transitioning into an official part-time coaching role in the spring.