Kristen Zaleski was hired as the new head softball coach for the Islanders on June 20, 2019.

Prior to arriving on the Island, Zaleski led Temple College in Temple, Texas, for nine seasons and compiled a 413-127 overall record. She led Temple to the NJCAA Division I national title in 2018.

While at Temple College, Zaleski's teams won five conference titles and advanced to the national championship tournament four times. She was named the Co-Coach of the Year for Region V North in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, her coaching staff at Temple was named the NFCA NJCAA Coaching Staff of the Year.

Zaleski played five professional seasons after college in the National Pro Fastpitch League (NPF) with the Texas Thunder and the Rockford Thunder. She earned NPF Most Valuable Player accolades in 2005. She was named to the United States National Training Team in 2006 and was nearly selected for the final 2008 Olympic Team.

In 2016, Zaleski was an assistant coach for the Dallas Charge of the NPF and has gained coaching experience with the Austin Storm organization. She has worked camps in Texas, Illinois, California, Michigan, Wisconsin and New York. She spent one season as the Texas State graduate assistant in 2005-06.

Zaleski graduated Cum Laude from Texas State University in 2004 with a degree in Criminal Justice with a focus in Law Enforcement. While playing for the Bobcats, she earned NFCA All-America, CoSIDA Academic All-America and All-Southland honors. Zaleski won back-to-back Southland Player of the Year and Hitter of the Year honors during the 2003 and 04 seasons. She still holds a pair of Southland career records with 291 total hits and 128 stolen bases. Her seven stolen bases in 2002 and 10 hits in 2001 still stand as Southland Tournament records. Zaleski is one of only two players in Southland history to earn two NFCA All-America Selections.