John O’Neil Named UMES’ Interim Baseball Coach

After a three-year stint as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s assistant baseball coach, John O’Neill has been named by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics as the interim Head Coach, following the recent resignation of head coach Pedro Swann.

“I appreciate the opportunity to lead this program,” said O’Neil. “I am happy to see that Mr. Davidson entrusts me to continue to build on a very solid foundation of UMES baseball that was laid down by my predecessors. I have had the opportunity to work for some great baseball minds and hope to pull from that experience in guiding the Hawks.”

Prior to his time at UMES, O’Neil served as the head coach of the Middlesex Rays in the Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League. Before his head coaching debut, he also was an assistant at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and Colby-Sawyer College, his alma mater.

While at the helm for two years, Swann accumulated a 21-80 record. In his second season, he improved the team’s record by lowering the losses by 10 and improved in wins by five.

“We thank Coach Swann for his contribution to UMES baseball. He was a good steward of the program and we wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Director of Athletics Keith Davidson.

The baseball team returns 20 players from a year ago in addition to 10 newcomers. They will open the season against the University of Alabama on February 13.