USC Upstate announced this week that former Spartan infielder Johnny Sweeney will assume the role of Director of Hitting Development for the baseball program, a move that underscores the university’s commitment to continuity and excellence.
A Strategic Addition
Johnny Sweeney, a four‑year member of the Upstate roster, helped the team capture back‑to‑back Big South Tournament championships and earn consecutive NCAA Regional berths, establishing himself as one of the program’s most accomplished position players.
During his senior season he posted a slash line of .345/.500/.701, compiling 67 hits, 18 home runs and 82 RBI while earning American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings First Team All‑American and ABCA/Rawlings First Team All‑Region honors in 2025.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership that same year and became the program’s first-ever Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist, a testament to his impact both on and off the field.
Head coach Kane Sweeney highlighted the hire as a natural extension of the culture he has built, noting that his brother’s deep familiarity with the program’s standards will help accelerate the development of current hitters.
Sweeney’s appointment is expected to reinforce the program’s upward trajectory, leveraging his championship experience and professional connections to attract top talent and refine hitting strategies for future seasons.