Jon Placko, a 1996 Furman graduate, just completed his fourth season as an assistant coach with Paladin baseball working primarily with the squad’s hitters and in recruiting. A year ago he played a key role in Furman posting a 30-29 record, Southern Conference championship, and appearance in the NCAA Tournament–the program’s first since 1991.

Placko is presently pursuing a career in scouting and serves as an associate scout for the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau.

A California native, Placko graduated from Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach, SC. Following two years at Brevard (NC) College, he transferred to Furman, where he earned a B.A. degree in health and exercise science in 1998.

While at Brevard, he hit over .400 and earned All-Region X and Carolinas Junior College All-Conference honors while helping the Tornados to a conference tournament championship and appearance in the 1994 Junior College World Series. Later, in two seasons at Furman, he batted .317, swatted 28 doubles, racked up 50 stolen bases and earned All-Southern Conference and league all-tournament honors in 1996 after keying the Paladins to a 29-23 record, which at the time represented the most wins in Furman baseball history.

Following graduation, Placko served as a volunteer assistant coach at Furman in 1998 and later as an assistant varsity coach and head junior varsity coach at Greenville’s Eastside High School in 2000. In 2002 he served as an assistant coach at Spartanburg Methodist College, helping the Pioneers to a 50-win season.

Placko, 32, resides in Greenville with his wife, Ellie. 

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