Ball State Swimming and Diving Hires Purdue’s Jeremy Agnew As Head Coach

Photo Courtesy: Ball State Swimming and Diving

MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State Director of Athletics Beth Goetz announced the hiring of Jeremy Agnew as the new swimming and diving head coach for the Cardinals Tuesday afternoon.

“I am confident that J.’s experience as a proven recruiter, his commitment to the overall development of student-athletes, and his passion for Ball State make him the perfect fit to lead our men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs to greater heights,” Goetz said. “We are excited to welcome J. and his family back to the Cardinal community.”

Agnew, a Ball State graduate, returns to his alma mater after spending the previous 11 years as Purdue’s men’s swimming and diving assistant coach. Purdue consistently produced its highest finishes in program history at both the Big Ten Championship and NCAA Championship level during Agnew’s tenure. He was instrumental in helping guide 12 swimmers to qualify for the NCAA Championship meet and represent Purdue on the biggest stage of NCAA swimming. Agnew also coached numerous Big Ten finalists.

In Agnew’s second year at Purdue, he coached Andrew Langenfeld to a Big 10 record in the 50-meter freestyle. Agnew then helped Danny Tucker win the 100-meter freestyle at the 2013 US Open Championship. The Purdue men were represented by 10 swimmers at both the 2012 and 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. During Agnew’s tenure at Purdue, the Boilermakers broke 37 school records and established 26 new freshman records.

Not only was Purdue successful in the pool, but the Boilermakers were recognized as a College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America Team every year between 2008 and 2018.

“Ball State University has always held a special place in my heart,” Agnew said. “I was fortunate early in my coaching career to have examples like Laura Seibold-Caudill and Bob Thomas show me what it means to love your team and truly care for your student-athletes in and out of the pool. With respect to these coaches as well as the hard work of Kristy Patterson, I humbly accept the torch that has been passed to me and promise our Cardinals will ‘Fly High’.”

Before heading to Purdue, Agnew was a successful high school coach with Yorktown High School and the Yorktown Swim Club, which is located less than 10 miles from Ball State. He brought the Yorktown swimming program to unprecedented heights during his seven-year tenure from 2000 to 2007, coaching eight individual state champions and 22 high school All-Americans.

In his final season with Yorktown, Agnew produced seven swimmers who went on to compete for NCAA Division I schools. The Yorktown boys’ and girls’ squads combined for 10 top-10 state finishes under Agnew’s watch, including a runner-up showing by the 2006 girls’ team. Agnew was named the 2004 Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Girls Swimming Coach of the Year after leading the team to a fourth-place finish.

“I would be remiss not to thank my Boilermaker family that has prepared me well for this opportunity,” Agnew added. “Their support has been monumental in this decision. My sincerest thanks to Beth Goetz, Stephanie Martin and the search committee for placing their confidence in me to lead the men and women of Ball State swimming and diving. My family and I are looking forward to embracing the call to lead the Cardinals.”

Agnew earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State. He earned a bachelor’s in mathematics in 1996 and went on to earn a master’s in educational leadership and supervision in 2008. Agnew is married to Kelly Agnew, a 1997 and 2000 graduate of Ball State. The couple has two daughters, Haley, a Purdue freshman, and Neely, who will be entering her sophomore year of high school.

The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with Ball State Swimming and Diving. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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