Brent MacDonald hired as West Virginia swimming coach

Brent MacDonald has been named the sixth head coach of the West Virginia University men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs, the vice president and director of athletics announced today Wren Baker.

“Coach MacDonald has built a consistent and winning program in the pool and in the classroom at Xavier in two different conferences over the past 16 years,” Baker said. “We have a great aquatics center and support system here at West Virginia University for him to use in building his swim program. He demonstrated during the interview process a high commitment to developing elite student-athletes who excel academically and athletically. His experience and leadership qualities will greatly benefit our swimming and diving program and our community. I am excited to have Brent and his family as Mountaineers.”

MacDonald has served as the head coach of the Xavier men’s and women’s swimming programs since 2009, after serving as interim head coach during the 2008-09 season and as an assistant coach from 2006-08.

“I am honored and excited to be the next head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach at WVU,” MacDonald said. “I want to thank Director of Athletics Wren Baker and Senior Associate Athletic Director Brittney O’Dell for trusting me to lead the climbers into the pool. The world-class facilities and elite student-athlete experience make this a great opportunity. My family and I can’t wait to get to Morgantown to start enjoying the community we’ve heard so many wonderful things about. I can’t wait to get to work!”

During his tenure at Xavier, the men’s swimming team won six Big East championships, including four championships in six years. The Musketeers won the conference title in the program’s first season in the Big East, and MacDonald was the 2014 Big East Men’s Swimming Coach of the Year.

MacDonald was also the Big East Coach of the Year for the 2014–15, 2019–20 and 2022–23 seasons. He helped develop four Big East Outstanding Swimmer of the Year winners at Xavier.

The women’s swim team placed second at the 2019 Big East Championship, marking the program’s highest finish since joining the conference.

Prior to joining the Big East, Brent MacDonald led the program to sustained success in the Atlantic 10. Following a third-place finish by the men’s swimming team in 2011-12, MacDonald was named the Men’s Swimming and Diving Coach of the A -10. Year.

MacDonald coached one of the most decorated swimmers in the history of the men’s program at Xavier, Michael Zennedjianwho was named 2009 A-10 Rookie of the Year and twice won A-10 Most Outstanding Performer (2011, 2012).

While successful in the pool, the Xavier men’s and women’s swimming programs have been equally successful in the classroom. Both teams were named a Scholar All-America team by the Collegiate Swimming and Diving Association of America each season since 2009-10.

Prior to joining the Musketeers, Brent MacDonald spent two years as the Aquatic Director at the Marshfield YMCA in Wisconsin. He also served as head coach of the Marshfield (Wis.) High School girls swim team and assistant swim coach at Noblesville (Ind.) High School.

MacDonald swam for four years at Valparaiso and earned a degree in sports administration in 2003. He and his wife, Krista, have three children, Carys, Teague and Everly.

– The above press release was posted by Swimming World in collaboration with West Virginia Athletics. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact [email protected].