The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Volunteer Assistant Coach Greg Swindell
09.20.2006 | Baseball
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SWINDELL'S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
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COACHING EXPERIENCE PLAYING EXPERIENCE |
Full name: Forest Gregory Swindell
Date of birth: January 2, 1965
Hometown: Houston, Texas
High school: Sharpston
College: The University of Texas
Family: Wife: Sarah, daughters: Hayley, Brenna and Sophia, son: Dawson
Greg Swindell is serving the second year of his second stint on the Texas Baseball coaching staff. He serves as the first base coach and assists pitching coach Skip Johnson in the mentoring of the Longhorns' hurlers. Swindell served in a similar capacity during the 2005 campaign, helping guide Texas to its sixth NCAA College World Series crown.
In 2007, Swindell helped mentor the Longhorns' pitching staff to a 3.46 ERA to lead the Big 12 Conference and rank ninth in the nation. He assisted in the development of Adrian Alaniz, the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, along with All-Big 12 Conference pitchers Randy Boone and James Russell.
Prior to the 2005 season, Swindell spent one year as a volunteer assistant coach at Texas State University in San Marcos during the 2004 campaign.
One of the most decorated pitchers in Texas baseball history, Swindell helped UT capture three straight Southwest Conference titles, post at least 51 wins during each of his three seasons and finish second at the College World Series in 1984 and '85. During his tenure on the Forty Acres, Swindell boasted a 43-8 record, registered a 1.92 ERA and appeared in 77 games. He made 50 starts for the Longhorns, pitching 32 complete games and notching school records for shutouts (14) and strikeouts (501). He remains among the top 10 all-time in Longhorns history for ERA (10th), victories (3rd), innings (2nd), strikeouts (1st), appearances (4th), starts (3rd), complete games (3rd) and shutouts (1st). Swindell has 13 career saves to his credit, which ranks sixth on the school career charts and presently holds the top two single-season strikeout totals in UT history (204 in 1985 and 180 in 1986).
Swindell put together his best season in 1985 when he posted a 19-2 record and 1.67 ERA to go along with 15 complete games, six shutouts and 204 strikeouts over 172 innings. He was chosen as the Baseball America National Player of the Year that season as he set UT single-season records for wins, innings pitched, strikeouts, complete games and shutouts. The left-hander was selected a first-team All-American and All-Southwest Conference performer all three seasons and received Freshman All-America honors as well as Baseball America's Freshman of the Year Award in 1984. He also was tabbed a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award three times.
Following his junior season, Swindell was selected second overall by the Cleveland Indians in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Immediately after signing with the club, Swindell made three starts at the Triple-A level and then embarked on a 17-year Major League career that included stints with Cleveland (1986-91 & 96), Cincinnati (1992), Houston (1993-96), Minnesota (1997-98), Boston (1998) and Arizona (1999-2002). One of his best years on the mound came in 1988 when he collected 18 wins for the Indians to go along with a 3.20 ERA and 180 strikeouts over 242 innings. He earned a spot on the American League All-Star Team in 1989. Swindell made four appearances in post-season play (1998, `99, 2001, `02) and helped the Arizona Diamondbacks win the 2001 World Series by making seven post-season relief appearances. He ended his career with 123 wins and 1,542 strikeouts over 2,233.1 innings and posted a 3.86 career ERA after making 664 appearances, which included 269 starts, as a major league pitcher. Among former Longhorns who have pitched on the Major League level, Swindell stands second to only Roger Clemens in terms of career strikeouts.
Inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1996, Swindell and his wife, Sarah, reside in Austin with their daughters Hayley, Brenna and Sophia, and their son Dawson.
