BY BRIAN GOSSET
X – @gosset41
MIKAILA “KK” KENNEY WAS GOING to pursue occupational therapy, but her path returned to the softball diamond and the game she loved. After graduating from Lamar in 2024, Kenney went right into the coaching ranks with Arp High School – she was hired last summer.
The Class 3A school is 145 miles east of Fort Worth.
“My original plan was to become an occupational therapist, and I was fully committed to that path. However, life has a way of leading you where you’re meant to be, and God had a different plan for me,” Kenney said.
“Coaching gives me the chance to combine those two passions. I can pour into young athletes, teach them the game I love, and hopefully make an impact on their lives far beyond the field. Becoming a high school head coach may not have been the original goal, but it’s turned out to be a calling that feels right in every way.”
Kenney starred at FM Marcus HS before playing at Marshall and Lamar.
While at Marcus, she was all-district three times and was also a three-time DFW softball all star. The Marauders made the playoffs three times and finished runner-up in district twice. However, her senior season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Looking back, I see how my love for softball and the experiences I’ve had as a player prepared me for this. I’ve always been passionate about the sport, but even more so about helping people,” Kenney said.
She takes over a program that went 21-12 overall and 9-3 in district. Despite losing to New Diana in the first round of the playoffs, Arp enjoyed its best season since 2008.
“Last season, the team had a strong year. They worked hard, competed well, and made it to the first round of the playoffs, which is something to be proud of. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to advance beyond that, but it’s clear that there’s potential here,” Kenney said.
“This season, I’m excited about what we can accomplish. The girls are putting in the effort, and we’re focusing on building not just skills but also a strong team culture. I want to see them playing as a unit, supporting one another, and embracing challenges together. I believe we have a real shot at doing something special this year. Our goal is not just to make it to the playoffs but to go farther and truly compete at a high level.”
Kenney is not the only former DFW player to start off her head coaching career.
Burleson grad Zoe Miranda is in her second season with Victoria West – five hours south of DFW and in between of San Antonio and Houston.
West just missed out on the playoffs, but did finish in a tie for fourth place in district.
“We had a decent year last year – I believe the first year with a new coach is always the toughest,” Miranda said. “We did end our season with 10 All-District selections and a Newcomer of the Year. This year is looking exciting.
”We have tons of young kids which gives us that unknown edge, and I feel like we are going to surprise a lot of people this year. Last year created some hunger for success in our program, and I’m excited to see all these kids’ hard work pay off when we finally get on the field this spring.”
Miranda graduated from Burleson in 2017 and had much success with the Elks, earning multiple all-district and all-area accolades before playing in college at Houston-Victoria and Navarro College. She would also spend one season as a grad assistant at Midwestern State.
“My goal was always just to coach, and it never mattered at what level for me,” Miranda said. “I just love the game with my entire being and giving back to the game was always the most important part. I will admit being a head coach has always been a dream of mine and I am so blessed to be in this position.
“I actually feel like my experiences as a player have shaped my coaching career and have made me better. It gives me avenues to relate to my players and gives them ways to connect to me. The hardest part of it is moving on from that part of me and using it to create an even better version of myself, just on the other side this time.”
