Staff Directory
- Title:
- Director of Hitting Development
- Email:
Johnny Sweeney enters his first season on the USC Upstate baseball staff in 2027, serving as the program's Director of Hitting Development. Sweeney joined the coaching staff in July 2026 following a decorated four-year playing career with the Spartans.
One of the most accomplished hitters in program history, Sweeney concluded his playing career as the most prolific power hitter of USC Upstate's Division I era. During his four seasons in a Spartan uniform, he helped Upstate advance to four consecutive Big South Baseball Championship Games, capture back-to-back Big South Tournament Championships, win the program's first Big South Regular Season Championship and make consecutive NCAA Regional appearances.
Sweeney concluded his career with 35 home runs, the most by a Spartan during the program's Division I era and the second-most in program history. He also finished his career holding numerous program and Division I era records, including the career record for hit by pitch with 62.
His career was highlighted by a historic senior season in 2025 as Sweeney became the first Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist in program history. He earned ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-America and First Team All-Region honors after putting together one of the most productive offensive seasons in USC Upstate history.
Sweeney finished the 2025 campaign hitting .345 with a .500 on-base percentage and .701 slugging percentage. He collected 67 hits, scored 60 runs, doubled 15 times and clubbed 18 home runs while driving home a program-record 82 runs. His 82 RBI ranked sixth nationally while establishing a new USC Upstate single-season record.
His senior campaign also saw Sweeney establish the program's single-season record with 31 hit by pitches and the Division I era single-season record with a .500 on-base percentage. His production in the middle of the Spartan lineup helped Upstate rank among the nation's most productive offensive teams.
Upstate led the NCAA with 40 sacrifice flies during the 2025 season while ranking second nationally in hits and runs and third in scoring. The Spartans also ranked seventh in doubles, 10th in batting average and 19th nationally in home runs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
Sweeney's historic season helped lead USC Upstate to the first Big South Regular Season and Tournament Championships in program history. The Spartans earned their first NCAA Division I Tournament berth, competing in the NCAA Clemson Regional and finishing the campaign with 36 victories.
Sweeney returned for the 2026 season and once again helped the Spartans make program history. Upstate captured its second consecutive Big South Tournament Championship and earned a second straight NCAA Regional appearance, receiving the No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional.
The Spartans earned the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history during the regional, defeating No. 2 seed Oklahoma State, 8-5, to advance into the winner's bracket. The victory helped Upstate advance to the third day of regional competition and gave Sweeney consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances to close his playing career.
Across his four seasons at Upstate, Sweeney developed into one of the cornerstone players during one of the most successful stretches in program history. His career included four Big South Championship Game appearances, two Big South Tournament Championships, one Big South Regular Season Championship and two NCAA Regional appearances.
Before arriving at USC Upstate, Sweeney played at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Ill. He joined the Spartans ahead of the 2023 season and quickly became a fixture in the Upstate lineup.
A native of Millstadt, Ill., Sweeney attended Belleville West High School before beginning his collegiate career. He graduated from USC Upstate in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership before transitioning from player to coach following the conclusion of his playing career.
