Maryland Baseball All-Access - Dynasty of Development
“We are excited to name Maryland alum Matt Swope as the new head coach of his alma mater,” said Evans. “Matt has been a vital part of the most successful era in Maryland baseball history, one where we set numerous records. He has been directly responsible for our offensive explosion over the last three years as we set records for runs scored, home runs, hits, RBI, slugging percentage, and walks. Being a hometown guy, I know what this means to Matt, being able to lead his beloved Terrapins. 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.
In his second season at the helm, Swope led the Terrapins to a 27-29 record in 2025. Maryland won a pair of contests over ranked opponents (#12 Wake Forest and #15 Oregon), its first wins over ranked opponents since the 2023 season. The 2025 offense was one of the best in program history, ranking in the top five all-time in home runs (94, 3rd), runs (457, 4th), RBI (425, 4th), and walks (336, 3rd). Swope earned his 50th win as head coach on April 13 in a 12-2 victory at home over Oregon. Swope coached the Terps to their 800th win at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium, defeating James Madison on March 4. Three players were named to All-Big Ten teams, including catcher Alex Calarco earning first team honors.
In his first year as head coach, Swope led the team to a 34-22 record. The 34 wins in 2024 are the most for a first-year coach in program history, passing John Szefc (2013-17) who set the previous record with 30 wins in 2013. The 34-win season also tied for the 2002 season for the sixth-most wins in a season for the program. Maryland finished with a record of 13-6 in one-run games, setting a new program record for one-run wins in a single-season. Swope coached the team to 19 road wins on the season, which tied the single-season record for most road wins for the program. Four players received All-Big Ten honors, including Eddie Hacopian and Sam Hojnar who were both named first team all-conference selections.
Swope is a native of New Carrollton, Maryland, and 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 to Maryland in 1998. As a player and staff member, Swope has been a part of 461 victories as a Terp.
“This is truly a dream come true, to be named the head baseball coach at the University of Maryland,” said Swope. “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. I love this place and will work tirelessly to continue the winning ways we have made the standard for Maryland baseball. There is so much to be proud of and I can’t wait to coach that first game on Shipley Field at Bob ‘Turtle’ Smith Stadium as the head coach of the Maryland Terrapins.”
Swope has served as associate head coach of the Terps since 2022 as Maryland has had unprecedented success on the diamond. Maryland combined to win 90 games over the last two seasons, the two winningest seasons in program history as the Terps went 48-14 in 2022 and 42-21 in 2023, in winning Big Ten Championships and qualifying for the NCAA Regionals in both seasons. Overall, Swope has been a part of the six winningest seasons in program history (2002, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022, and 2023).
Between 2022 and 2023, the Maryland offense shattered numerous program records under Swope's direction. The Terps set records for most home runs (137), most hits (684), most runs (578), most RBIs (552), highest slugging percentage (.564), and most walks (385). Maryland became the first school in more than 30 years with outright back-to-back Big Ten Players of the Year in Chris Alleyne (2022) and Matt Shaw (2023).
In the 2023 season, Nick Lorusso set the school single-season records for home runs (26), RBI (105) and hits (100) becoming the first player in Division I baseball to drive in 100 runs in a season in 20 years. Shaw and Lorusso each broke the school records for career home runs and RBI. Luke Shliger broke Swope’s 20-year record (181) for the most runs scored in a single season with 189.
Maryland enters the 2024 season having won 22 consecutive Big Ten series, dating back to the middle of the 2021 season.
During Swope’s tenure on the Maryland staff since 2013, 34 Terps have been drafted, including 12 selections in the Top 10 rounds and more to come this summer in the 2023 MLB Draft.
Swope served as an assistant coach with the Terps from 2017-22 and director of operations from 2013-17. Swope helped overhaul the Maryland baseball brand in his time as director of operations, managing a number of areas including the Terps’ budget, fundraising, scheduling, travel logistics, team events, compliance, social media, equipment, and apparel. He was directly involved with Maryland’s locker room renovation project, the Home Field project with the architecture department, and upgrades to Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium.
The Maryland alum oversaw the state and foundation budgets and was directly involved with the Home Run Club, which liaises with former players and boosters of the program, helping raise more than $1 million in private funds since 2012.
Swope was a four-year starter and had an illustrious career in College Park from 1999-2002. Playing outfield for the Terps, Swope finished his career with 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).
As a senior in 2002, Swope posted a .368 batting average with 64 runs scored, 55 RBI and 31 extra-base hits to help the Terps win a then program-record 34 games. As a junior, Swope hit .328 and tallied seven home runs and 34 RBI.
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.
In 2005, Swope spent the season with the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League. Swope and the Wild Things enjoyed a successful season. The Wild Things set a Frontier League record with 63 wins, while Swope hit .309 with 10 home runs. Swope had a 28-game hitting streak during the 2005 season.
Swope was nominated as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Societies Man of The Year in 2010 and has raised over $100,000 for the LLS and Kids Vs. Cancer Foundation.
Swope received his bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Maryland in 2003. Swope and Katie have three children: Olivia, Reese and Baylor.
Updated July 29, 2025
