10/29/2026 5:30:00 PM | Baseball
For some college baseball players, their final out also marks the end of their time with a program.
At USC Upstate Baseball, it might just mean a new position.
A different uniform. A different set of responsibilities. But the same green and black.
As the Spartans prepare for the 2027 season, head coach Kane Sweeney has assembled a coaching staff with a strategic connection to the program's past.
Four of the five members of his coaching and player development staff are former USC Upstate student-athletes. Some played for Sweeney as an assistant coach. Others helped deliver the program's first Big South championships and NCAA Regional appearances.
Now, instead of chasing championships as players, they're helping develop the next generation of Spartans.
For Sweeney, the philosophy is intentional.
"I love keeping guys in the program that know and understand the expectations of the program, but also know us and kind of what our values are and what we're looking for," Sweeney said.
The approach goes beyond familiarity. It's about building a coaching staff that already understands the expectations, personalities and culture that have helped transform Upstate into a championship, even a name-brand program in baseball circles.
"I think the biggest part is just the chemistry for the entire team, the culture for the entire team," Sweeney said. "If you have questions, maybe you're doubting something, or maybe you're wondering what coach is thinking, now you have all these assistants here that have played for him before and can relay that information effectively to the players."
For those former players now wearing coaching hats, the transition has brought a new appreciation for the game they love.
A Different View of the Diamond
Jake Armsey spent five seasons in an Upstate uniform and became one of the program's most respected and decorated athletes.
He helped guide the Spartans to consecutive Big South Tournament Championships and NCAA Regional appearances, including the program's historic first NCAA Tournament victory in 2026.
Now serving as director of player development, Armsey has discovered something surprising about life on the other side of the game.
He might enjoy coaching even more than playing.
"I thought when I was done playing, I would almost miss being on the field every day, taking ground balls," Armsey said. "But seeing things from the other side, kind of outside looking in, I almost enjoy that way more."
For Armsey, sharing lessons learned over five seasons in Spartanburg has become one of the most rewarding parts of his new career.
"I love watching guys grow and develop, and that's kind of been what's kept me here and why I wanted to get into coaching in the first place."
Sweeney sees significant potential in his former team captain. In fact, he believes Armsey has the personality and leadership qualities to become a Division I head coach himself within the next several years.
"He's a guy that I'll tell you this: I think Jake is going to be a phenomenal head coach in the future," Sweeney said.
The staff shares that kind of confidence and belief in the program.
Johnny Sweeney, a former standout infielder and the head coach's younger brother, has also transitioned from player to coach.
Now the director of hitting development, Johnny brings the experience of a decorated playing career that included All-American recognition and a program-record 35 career home runs in a Division I era.
But for Johnny, the most exciting change isn't simply teaching the game. It's finding his voice within the program.
"Now I feel like I have a voice. I can speak my opinion on things, especially on the offensive side of things," Johnny said. "I feel like I have a lot of good things hitting-wise to bring to this team."
Although he admits he sometimes misses batting practice or fielding ground balls, the chance to stay in the sport has made the transition worthwhile.
"I just absolutely love being here every day," Johnny said. "My office is basically looking at a field. I get to work with the guys every day. I get to still be in baseball, which is the thing I love to do."
The Work Behind the Wins
While Armsey and Johnny Sweeney are beginning their coaching careers, assistant coach Easton Cullison has already transitioned from player to staff member.
A four-year Spartan and one of the program's most accomplished base stealers in Division I history, Cullison joined the staff as a student assistant in 2025 before becoming a full-time assistant coach.
His playing experience gave him a foundation for understanding the program, but coaching has shown him how much work happens long before the first pitch.
"I think the thing that surprised me the most was the amount of preparation and work that goes into every single day, even before we step on the field," Cullison said.
"Whether it's scouting reports, practice plans, recruiting, video and statistical analysis, or even doing field work, there's just always something to be done, and it's something that we take pride in trying to be the best at."
The former infielder has also taken on responsibilities coaching the team's outfielders, an assignment that required learning and teaching from a different perspective.
Sweeney credits Cullison with helping improve the Spartans' outfield defense and bringing valuable baserunning knowledge to the program.
Another former player helping develop the next generation is Kyle Beaty.
A pitcher on Upstate's 2025 championship team, Beaty remained with the program as a student assistant in 2026 before earning a promotion to director of pitching development.
His experience provides another direct connection between the players who built the program's championship foundation and those hoping to extend it.
"I could not be more grateful to be a small part of growing the championship culture we've established at USC Upstate," Beaty said. "Being able to work alongside such a passionate coaching staff and insatiably curious players has made the transition seamless and exciting as we continue our quest for more championships."
FINAL | UPST 12; PC 3Kyle Beaty picks up the save, adding another strikeout, as Upstate takes game one of today's doubleheader!#SpartanArmy ? https://t.co/glRXDHiv99
— USC Upstate Baseball (@UpstateBSB) May 10, 2025
Built on Relationships
Not every member of Sweeney's staff previously wore an Upstate uniform as a student. But relationships and trust remain common denominators.
Assistant coach Audie Afenir brings another longstanding connection to Sweeney, dating back to their professional playing days together in the New York Yankees organization, when the two were roommates.
"Audie and I have a great relationship that goes way back," Sweeney said. "You're not going to find a guy that's more committed to helping his players get better."
For Sweeney, those relationships create a staff built around trust rather than simply filling positions on the website.
"I've spent so much time with all of these guys that I know what to expect out of them; they know what to expect out of me," he said. "I think there's less coaching the coaches on my end because they just kind of know what to do."
This approach has helped the Spartans build continuity amid constant roster and personnel turnover.
And that continuity has created something else: a genuine sense of ownership.
These aren't simply coaches who happen to work at USC Upstate. Many helped build the program's recent success and now have the opportunity to shape its future.
That future comes with increasingly ambitious expectations.
After making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 2025 and securing its first postseason win in 2026, Upstate enters 2027 with a chance to take another step.
For Armsey, that means dreaming even bigger.
"Obviously, our first one, we made our first-ever regional at Upstate, and then this past year finally winning a game in a regional for the first time in program history," Armsey said. "Obviously this year, our goal would be to win a regional."
He carries that belief from his playing days into his new role as a coach.
"We truly deep down believe that winning a regional is possible here at Upstate."
Perhaps that's what makes this coaching staff unique.
Once a Spartan, always a Spartan.
