Father Ryan has hired three-time state champion Stacy Swinea as its new TSSAA softball coach, the school announced on Sept. 10.
Swinea had been at Davidson Academy since 1992, and her 833 wins rank second among Tennessee high school softball coaches. She has won three state championships, eight region titles, 14 district titles and has coached 19 state tournament teams.
“Coach Swinea has demonstrated a passion for joining the Father Ryan community and leading our softball program,” Father Ryan president Paul Davis said in a release. “Her experience both on the field and in the classroom, coupled with her commitment to developing the whole person, will be a tremendous asset
to our young women. She brings the leadership, experience, and heart to help our student-athletes grow, as we fulfill our mission to challenge every student to reach their spiritual, academic, and personal potential.”
Swinea, a Tennessee Tech graduate, is well regarded among her peers. She was the 2019-20 TSSAA Distinguished Service Award recipient. She’s also been a girls middle school and varsity basketball coach. She won softball state titles at Davidson Academy in 2002, 2008 and 2009.
“Stacy brings an incredible level of experience, success, and leadership to Father Ryan. What stood out to us is not only her record of success, but the way she approaches coaching and developing young women,” Father Ryan athletic director Ann Mullins said. “She understands that building a successful program is about much more than wins and losses. We are excited about the culture, competitiveness, and mentorship she will bring to our softball program.”
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
He also contributes to The Tennessean's high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg. Subscribe to The Bootleg here.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Father Ryan softball hires 3-time TSSAA state champion Stacy Swinea as coach
