Head Coach Chris Hawkins adds John Winters to Upstate Softball’s Coaching staff
2/10/2025 12:47:00 PM | Softball
Spartanburg, S.C. - As the 2025 season has started to settle with USC Upstate Softball, Head Coach Chris Hawkins has added to his staff with the appointment of John Winters as the assistant coach. Winters comes to Upstate Softball with his most recent stop being at Furman University. Â
John Winters joins the All-Star Coaching Staff of Chris Hawkins, Bryan Pack, and Tonya Medders. Winters has already adjusted well in his new role at USC Upstate, adding more energy to the staff and the team which displayed during the opening weekend for Upstate Softball at the Spartan Classic. Winters has expressed his excitement being part of Spartan Army saying "I'm grateful for the opportunity to join USC Upstate. Coach Hawkins, Pack, and Tonya are amazing coaches, and I look forward to learning a lot from them." Winters also mentioned that he is ready to help continue winning traditions at USC Upstate saying "In my new role, I'm excited to help the team continue the winning tradition and strengthen our overall offense. A huge thank you to Hawk for bringing me aboard and allowing me to jump right in."Â
In Winters' first season in Greenville, Furman, 20-32 overall and 8-9 in league play, exceeded preseason expectations by finishing third in the SoCon standings. Senior Riley Ludlam captured SoCon Player of the Year honors while first baseman Kiley Perry earned SoCon Freshman of the Year accolades. The duo was joined on the All-SoCon First Team by junior centerfielder Ashlee Lykins and freshman designated player Sylvia Burroughs.Â
During the 2022 season, Piedmont posted a 33-11 overall record, 15-1 conference mark and earned its second straight bid to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. The Lions compiled a 93-43 record in Winters' four seasons at Piedmont.Â
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In 2021, Winters helped guide a Piedmont offense that consistently produced runs and allowed the team to capture the USA South West Division Regular Season and USA South Tournament Championships. Winters helped junior outfielder Katelyn Perry take home USA South Player of the Year honors as well as earn a spot on the NFCA All-Atlantic Region Team. Winters helped guide the Lady Lions to a 31-12 mark in 2019 including the team hosting its first NCAA Regional earning a regional finals appearance. Â
During his time at Francis Marion, Winters worked directly with the hitters, outfielders and base runners on development and fundamentals. In the 2018 seasons, Winters helped the team to an improved team batting average of .314 and produced a Peach Belt all-conference player. Winters also evaluated prospective student athletes while organizing recruiting visits, tours, and prospect camps. Winters graduated from the University of Georgia in 2015 with a bachelor's of science in Biology and earned his master's of science in biology from the University of West Georgia in 2017.Â
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A native of McDonough, Ga., Winters spent two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at the University of West Georgia He began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at the University of West Georgia where he coached during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. At West Georgia, Winters led the infield and hitters and served as the third base coach during contests. and one season as an assistant at Francis Marion.Â
