Longtime Terp Matt Swope Named Baseball Head Coach

Matt Swope ’03, who has been associated with Maryland baseball for more than two decades, was named head coach of the Terrapins by Damon Evans, Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics, on Monday.

Swope has been a part of the Maryland baseball staff for the past 11 seasons as the Terps advanced to six NCAA Regionals and two Super Regionals. Maryland won back-to-back Big Ten Championships in the last two seasons and won its first Big Ten Tournament Championship this past season, with Swope serving as associate head coach. He is the ninth head coach in the 132-year history of Maryland baseball as he replaces Rob Vaughn, who is leaving UMD for the University of Alabama.

“Being a hometown guy, I know what this means to Matt, being able to lead his beloved Terrapins,” Evans said. “We are excited to welcome Matt and his family in this new role as we look to continue the wonderful momentum Maryland baseball has built in recent years.”

He also thanked Vaughn, who he said “lifted the Terrapin program to heights we have never seen before. During his 10 years with the Terps, we appeared in six NCAA Regionals—an unprecedented era in program history—and hosted the first-ever NCAA Regional in school history.”

Swope has served as associate head coach of the Terps since 2022 and previously as an assistant coach (2017-22) and director of operations (2013-17). A graduate of DeMatha Catholic High School, he becomes the first Maryland baseball head coach to lead his alma mater since Tom Bradley ’72 (head coach from 1991-2000), who recruited Swope in 1998. As a player and staff member, Swope has been a part of 461 victories as a Terp.

“Growing up just down the road from College Park, then playing for the Terps, returning to join the staff, and now being able to lead the Terps is something that means the world to me,” Swope said. “I love this place and will work tirelessly to continue the winning ways we have made the standard for Maryland baseball.”

Swope had an illustrious career in College Park from 1999-2002. Playing outfield for the Terps, he recorded a .331 batting average, 16 home runs and 135 RBI. Many of his players have passed him on the career lists, but he still stands second in runs scored (181), and hits (253), fifth in walks (106), seventh in total bases (360), ninth in RBI and 10th in stolen bases (44).

Swope was selected in the 2002 MLB Draft by the Montreal Expos, where he spent the season with their Class A affiliate Clinton Lumber Kings and their Class A Short-Season affiliate Vermont Expos.