Xavier Promotes Lindsey Niergarth to Head Swim Coach
Xavier has promoted Lindsey Niergarth to the head coaching position of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs, it announced on Monday.
Niergarth replaces Brent MacDonald, who left after 15 years at the helm to take the head coaching job at West Virginia.
Niergarth has been an assistant at Xavier since 2021.
“I am so grateful and beyond happy for the opportunity to continue working with Xavier Swimming,” Niergarth said in a university statement. “I am thrilled to continue to lead this program in its tradition of academic and athletic success. I am also excited to lead Xavier forward and be able to reach new heights.”
Niergarth has helped Xavier win 28 Big East event titles over the last three years. Eight students have been honored as CSCAA Scholar All-Americans in her tenure. The Musketeers won 15 events and set 14 program records at the 2024 Big East Championships, with 19 individuals earning All-Big East honors. The men’s team led the way with 10 gold medals, including a 5-for-5 relays sweep to finish second in the team standings. The Musketeers men’s team has finished second in the Big East each of Niergarth’s three years on staff.
“Lindsey brings together the credibility as a former high-level student-athlete herself, with coaching experiences at several levels in the sport,” director of athletics Greg Christopher said. “She has been a big part of our success since joining us as an assistant in 2021. Her vision and passion for the Xavier program made her the clear choice to take over as our new head coach.”
Niergarth swam at the University of South Carolina, where she graduated in 2012. She was the head age-group coach of the Cincinnati Marlins before taking the Xavier assistant position. She’s also coached at the Peddie School and Peddie Aquatics in New Jersey; Columbia Athletic Club-Silver Lakes in Washington; City of Charleston Southern Marlins Racing Team and Hunting Creek Swim and Racquet Club, both in South Carolina. She is an ASCA Level III coach.