Landon grew up in Apex, North Carolina, excelling in multiple sports from an early age. He played on many championship teams in baseball and wrestling and was recognized as one of the top high school baseball players nationwide. At Apex High, he was named All-State and All-American, leading his team to a state championship and hitting 15 home runs his junior year. He enrolled early at the University of South Carolina, where he became a two-time All-SEC honoree and a consensus All-American. Landon’s college career included playing for Team USA and leading USC to three College World Series appearances. He finished as one of the most successful players in USC’s history and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2014.

Drafted in the first round by the Oakland Athletics, Landon’s professional career began with promise but was marked by injuries and a challenging diagnosis of Auto-Immune Hepatitis. He eventually made his MLB debut with Oakland in 2009, collecting a hit in his first at-bat off Seattle’s Felix Hernandez. He also achieved a rare feat by catching Dallas Braden’s perfect game in 2010. After playing stints with the Athletics, Houston Astros, and New York Mets organizations, Landon retired in 2013 due to his health.

Following retirement, Landon transitioned to coaching, quickly finding success at North Greenville University. Under his leadership, the NGU baseball program transformed into a Division II powerhouse, achieving a #1 national ranking, multiple conference championships, and their first national championship in 2022. Landon was named NCAA D2 National Coach of the Year that season. He continues to coach and resides in Greenville, SC, with his wife of 19 years, Allyson, and their two children, Holden and Ellie.