Georgia Perimeter College recently named Ken Deyton as the Jaguars' head softball coach.

Deyton served for five years as assistant coach under Ed Schutte, who left Georgia Perimeter in April. Deyton was responsible for offense, defense, academics and recruiting, and he served as interim head coach for the last five games this spring.

"Ken is a perfect fit for the softball head coaching position at GPC," athletic director Alfred Barney said. "He will continue the program's winning tradition that he helped establish."

During Deyton's tenure as assistant coach, he and Schutte twice won the regular season championship of the NJCAA Region 17, also known as the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. The Jaguars won the region tournament in 2010, sending them to the national championship tournament in St. George, Utah, their second trip to nationals under Schutte.

In four of the past five seasons, the Jaguars won 30 or more games, part of a streak of seven seasons.

"GPC softball has always had a winning tradition, and I plan to continue that success," Deyton said. "Our philosophy is simple: Develop solid students, prepare our student athletes to start at the four year level, get them there, and win a national championship."

A resident of McDonough, Deyton graduated from Stockbridge High School, where he lettered in varsity football and baseball. He was an All-Region selection in baseball in his junior and senior years.

Deyton's coaching career began in 1986 with youth major baseball in Stockbridge and he headed up the Stockbridge Tiger travel football program through 1998.

He also was the main organizer of the Georgia Blitz Fastpitch Softball Organization and head coach of the Georgia Blitz Gold 18U team from 1998 through 2006. He won many Amateur Softball Association championships and made appearances to the ASA National Championship in 2004 and 2006.

Additionally, Deyton was a member of the Worth Sports Women's International Softball Team coaching staff when the team was champion of the 2010 Puerto Rico Olympic Softball Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Recently, Deyton earned his associate degree in sports and recreation management from Gwinnett Technical College.