NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Westminster College has named Kelly Swiney as its new head baseball coach. Swiney had been the head baseball coach at Allegheny College for the past nine seasons.
"First and foremost, I would like to thank Director of Athletics Jim Dafler and President Kathy Richardson for this opportunity," Swiney said. "Their vision and commitment to the future of the athletic department and baseball program is impressive. I feel very fortunate to become the next head baseball coach at Westminster College. I can't wait to get started."
In eight of his nine seasons as the Gators' head coach, Swiney guided the team to winning seasons, including a trip to the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament Championship game in 2013.
"We are excited to have Kelly Swiney join the Westminster staff as our head baseball coach," Dafler said. "We had several excellent candidates for this position. Kelly Swiney's coaching and recruiting experience and success in NCAA Division III, his familiarity with the PAC and his recruiting connections in the region, and his commitment to providing each of his student-athletes a positive college experience both on and off the field were important factors in his selection."
In 2017, Swiney coached the Gators to a 23-17 season, marking the team's fifth consecutive 20-win campaign. During the season, Swiney earned his 200th career victory at Allegheny, making him just the fourth coach in the 130-year history of the program to reach the milestone.
Prior to Allegheny, Swiney served as an assistant coach for two seasons at Amherst College (Mass.) under coach Bill Thurston. During his tenure, the Lord Jeffs competed in two New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Tournaments, with a runner-up finish in 2008. Before Amherst, Swiney spent time as an assistant coach at Washington and Jefferson College, Thiel College, and King's College (Pa.). The 2003 Thiel team won the program's first Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) title in 21 years, and broke the school record for wins in a season. During his time at Washington & Jefferson, Swiney helped the team to a 66-28 record over two seasons including a school-record 34 wins in 2006. Additionally, the Presidents won the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Region Tournament Championship in 2005 and 2006. Swiney also served as the head coach for the Ohio Warhawks Baseball Club from 2005-2008, posting a 161-38 record and winning 12 tournament championships. In 2008, Swiney led the Warhawks to a National Runner Up finish at the 18U C.A.B.A. World Series.
As a player, Swiney was a three-year starter for the Gators in the outfield. He finished his career with a .356 career batting average, and currently ranks fourth on the all-time list for doubles in a season with 17. He was named to the All-NCAC Second Team as a senior in 1999. Swiney was also a part of the 1997 and 1999 NCAC Championship teams; the 1997 team set the school record for victories with 40. During his playing career, Allegheny took part in three NCAA playoff-runs, including two regional runner-up finishes in 1996 and 1997.