Former Spartan standout Gwen Johnson is in her third season as a part-time assistant coach at UNCG. She works primarily with the outfield and assists with the hitters.

“I am extremely excited to announce the addition of Gwen Johnson to my coaching staff," head coach Jennifer Herzig said after hiring Johnson. "As one of the toughest hitters and outfielders in recent history at UNC Greensboro, Gwen brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, stemming from personal playing experience in this program and in the Southern Conference. Gwen was a dynamic player with the ability to change the game in a moment, and I am excited for our players to have the ability to learn from someone of her caliber.”

UNCG has flourished at the plate with Johnson on staff. In 2011, the Spartans turned in some of the best offensive numbers in school history, highlighted by the team’s .271 batting average, the 10^th-best in program lore.

The Spartans also scored 234 runs, tied for the seventh-most in school history, and were also in the top 10 in school history in triples (tied for seventh, 11), home runs (eighth, 23), RBI (ninth, 192), slugging percentage (eighth, .375) and walks (ninth, 149).

Outfielder Jordan Jewett hit 14 doubles on the year, more than three times her previous career high and good for sixth-most in a single season in school history. Kaitlin Merkt led the team with nine home runs and a career-best 39 RBI, the seventh-most in school history.

UNCG also put up impressive hitting numbers in Johnson’s first season on the staff. The 2010 squad hit the third-most home runs in school history (39), tied for fifth in doubles (71) and had the eighth-most RBI (193). Merkt (11), Alex Emeterio (five) and Katie Stripling (five) all had career highs in homers, while freshmen Eileen Horsmon (six) and Heather Robb (four) combined for another 10, as well.

The 2010 Spartans turned in their first winning record in SoCon play since 2003 and reached the SoCon Championship title game for the first time in school history.

As a student-athlete at UNCG, Johnson played two seasons (2005-06) for the Spartans after transferring from Louisburg College. In 2006, her senior year, she led UNCG in batting average (.333), slugging percentage (.768), on-base percentage (.459) and home runs (eight). In her first season with the Spartans, Johnson led the team with 37 runs scored.

She graduated fourth in school history with a .504 career slugging percentage.

Johnson, a Boston, Va., native, was also the Region IX Player of the Year at Louisburg in 2003 and 2004, taking NFCA All-America third-team honors during her sophomore season.

Johnson worked various collegiate camps from 2003-06 and volunteered at the Greensboro YMCA. She also volunteered as a sports counselor in La Preciosita, Mexico.