CLINTON, S.C. – Stacey Johnson-Whitfield, former standout pitcher at the University of South Carolina and previous head coach at Furman University, has been hired as the Associate Head Coach of the Presbyterian College softball team.

Announced by head coach David Williams on Monday afternoon as he prepares for his eighth season at PC, Johnson-Whitfield joins the Blue Hose after leading Furman to a total of 81 wins in four seasons (not including an initial year as the Paladins' pitching coach).

Commented Williams, "We are very excited about the addition of Stacey to our staff. She brings a great deal of experience and knowledge, which will only help in our players' development. I look forward to working with her and seeing her impact upon the program."

Eight different Furman players received All-Southern Conference recognition in Johnson-Whitfield's four years at the helm, including one SoCon Player of the Year (and All-Region third-team selection) as well as one SoCon Freshman of the Year.


 
Furman (2021-25)

 
- Johnson-Whitfield worked strictly with the Furman arms in her first season (2021), mentoring a group of pitchers who improved their ERA by more than one run in the conference schedule and thus finished a half-game back of third-place in the league standings that spring.

- She was announced as Furman's interim head coach prior to the 2022 campaign and would later be elevated to the permanent head coach title after taking a team that was predicted to finish sixth in the SoCon and getting them to a top-four standing in the conference tournament.

- Bolstered by a victory over Mississippi State and four all-conference picks while in the interim role, Johnson-Whitfield went into her first season as the permanent head coach (2023) and again exceeded expectations by guiding the Paladins to third in the SoCon race.

- Catcher Riley Ludlam was named the SoCon Player of the Year after batting .372 that season to go with 25 extra-base hits. Kiley Perry was also chosen as the league's best rookie after leading the team in home runs (16), RBI (44), and total hits (59).

- The 2023 Furman unit had four players selected to the All-SoCon first team lineup, not to mention another individual on the second team sheet.

- Johnson-Whitfield had another productive season at Furman in 2024, earning two triumphs over ACC institutions Clemson and Louisville. The squad won 24 games overall while outfielder Ashlee Lykins landed All-SoCon first team honors for the second straight year (.370 BA, 67 hits, 18 stolen bases).

- Caitlin Goldwait (outfield) and Sylvia Burroughs (DP) each grabbed spots on the all-conference second team roster to close Johnson-Whitfield's last year at Furman in 2025.

- The Paladins' representation in the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team grew with each year that Johnson-Whitfield was in charge (three members in 2023, four members in 2024, and five members last spring).


 
Prior to Furman (2005-20)

 
- After graduating from South Carolina, Johnson-Whitfield started her own business – SJW Fast Pitch – where she operated as a pitching instructor for 15 years.

- This creation allowed her to mentor numerous successful college pitchers at schools like Arkansas, Clemson, Furman, Louisville, Penn State, Rutgers, South Carolina, Tennessee, and many others.

- While promoting her business, Stacey also spent time as an assistant coach at the high school level.


 
Player at South Carolina (2001-04)

 
- A native of Pennsylvania, Johnson-Whitfield committed to the Gamecocks and contributed to a pair of Southeastern Conference Eastern Division Championships. South Carolina advanced to the NCAA Tournament in all four years that she was on the roster.

- Johnson-Whitfield helped USC collect at least 40 wins apiece in each of her first three seasons. The Gamecocks won 38 combined regular-season SEC meetings during her freshman and sophomore stints, winning the divisional crown both times.

- Over two decades after her playing career came to an end, Johnson-Whitfield still ranks among South Carolina's best all-time pitchers in several categories, such as…
 

• 4^th in Total Starts (106)
• 5^th in Strikeouts (485)
• 6^th in Complete Games (59)
• 7^th in Innings Pitched (665.1)
• 7^th in Individual Wins (63)
• 8^th in Shutouts (19)
• 9^th in Total ERA (1.43)

 

- She was twice selected for SEC Pitcher of the Week honors during her junior year in 2003. In addition, she led South Carolina's pitching staff in strikeouts, ERA, and innings pitched during her final two seasons.

- On April 21, 2004, Johnson-Whitfield threw a no-hitter (coincidentally against Furman) during a 6-0 victory. She tossed a career-high 11 strikeouts versus Florida Atlantic as a sophomore in 2002.



Stacey graduated from South Carolina in 2004 and is married to former Gamecock football player Travis Whitfield. The couple have two daughters, Vivian and Lilly.