April 3, 2002
DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis baseball head coach Phil Swimley, who has guided the Aggies to nearly 900 wins since 1966, will retire at the end of the current season, UC Davis Director of Athletics Greg Warzecka announced Thursday.
Swimley, who has amassed an 886-822-15 (.519) mark since coming to UC Davis in the fall of 1965, is just one of seven active NCAA Division II coaches with more than 860 career wins. He has led his teams to eight conference championships, six trips to the NCAA Division II West Regional and a berth in the 1995 Division II World Series.
Additionally, he has won 573 league games and in 1995 was named the West Region Coach of the Year by the National Association of Baseball Coaches (NABC).
UC Davis is currently 17-16 overall and in fourth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association with a 12-8 record.
"I came here in 1965 fully intending this to be a stepping stone," said Swimley. "But after being here a short while I realized the type of student and player at UC Davis was something special. As a result, the past 37 years have flown by.
"I've stayed because of the fun I've had with the student-athletes. Players come out and work hard and my enjoyment is seeing them have success."
Warzecka said Swimley will be missed.
"There are very few baseball coaches in this country who have accomplished what Phil Swimley has at UC Davis," said Warzecka. "For almost 37 seasons his name has been synonymous with Aggie baseball and we're grateful for all of his contributions to our program and his loyalty to the university."
Swimley has also been a strong teacher of the game, with 29 of his players having signed professional contracts.
Swimley began his UC Davis coaching career in the fall of 1965 as an assistant football coach and head baseball coach. He has earned his nearly 900 wins despite playing a schedule that has included every major collegiate baseball program in Northern California, including UC Berkeley, Stanford and local rival, Sacramento State.
Swimley earned his 500th career win in 1990 and reached the 800-win plateau in 1999, both victories coming against Sacramento State.
In addition to his head coaching duties, Swimley has been a catalyst for the ongoing construction of UC Davis' Community Stadium. He has spent countless hours in the planning, fundraising and construction of the stadium. As a result, the Aggies' home field is one of the finest collegiate baseball facilities in California.
In 1977, Swimley spent a sabbatical year as an assistant coach at the University of Arizona, the defending NCAA champions that year.
As a player, Swimley's record was equally impressive. While playing outfield and pitching for Stockton College, Swimley was instrumental in bringing the California Junior College State Championship to the school in his second year.
After transferring to the University of Washington, he earned All-Coast honors as a pitcher and hit over .420 to rank third in the nation in his senior year. In the summer, he played for the Cheyney Studs, which won the semi-pro national championship. Swimley's collegiate career became further distinguished in the spring of 2001, when he was selected to the University of Washington All-Century baseball team.
Following college, Swimley was signed by the New York Yankees and played four years in that organization. He advanced to the Class AA level as an outfielder. Unable to break into the major league lineup, Swimley accepted a coaching opportunity at San Joaquin Delta College. After earning his master's degree in physical education from Sacramento State, Swimley came to UC Davis in 1965 and has been a mainstay since.
Swimley will not stray far from UC Davis, having accepted a part-time athletic development position with the Aggies, Warzecka said.
"Phil is a tremendous resource for our program and we're excited that he's agreed to continue working with the UC Davis athletic program," said Warzecka. "We wish him all the best for his future, but are also happy we're still going to see him around the halls."
Swimley said this season is indicative of the enjoyment he's received at UC Davis.
"I really enjoy watching Luke {Steidlmayer} and Greg {Bruso} pitch," he said. "I think back when they were freshman, and to see their development, that's what is rewarding for me."
Swimley and his wife Marilyn have a son, Steve, and two daughters, Jeannie and Debbie.
Warzecka said a national search for a new head coach will begin immediately with the goal to have someone on staff by summer.
