Liberty Athletics expresses its sorrow over the passing of Johnny Hunton, a former head coach of the baseball team, who died on Sunday, January 19, at the age of 97. Hunton was the third head coach in the history of the Liberty Baseball program, serving from 1991 to 1997.
Johnny Hunton played a pivotal role in the transformation of the Liberty baseball program when the Flames secured NCAA Division I conference affiliation by joining the Big South Conference for the 1992 season.
With a coaching record of 175 wins, 175 losses, and 3 ties over seven years, Hunton ranks as the fourth-winningest coach in the program’s history. Under his leadership, the Flames clinched the Big South title in 1993, marking the first time any program in the athletics department won a Big South championship.
During his tenure, Hunton achieved two seasons with over 30 wins, including his inaugural season, where the team recorded a 32-14-1 record, earning him the VaSID Coach of the Year award. He also mentored 15 players who advanced to professional baseball, with 11 being drafted by Major League Baseball.
Johnny Hunton (Head Baseball Coach, 1991-97)
Before his time on the Mountain, Hunton played college baseball at the University of Maryland, where he earned the title of Maryland Athlete of the Year in 1950. After college, he signed a professional contract with the New York Yankees and spent three seasons in minor league baseball from 1952 to 1954. Additionally, he served as an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina for 17 years (1972-1989), contributing to the Gamecocks’ success with 12 NCAA Regional appearances and five trips to the College World Series.
Head Coach Johnny Hunton speaks with players during a game in 1993.
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