Russell Whitaker Named Mountain West Coach of the Year

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 2, 2026) – Washington State Swimming Head Coach Russell Whitaker was named the 2026 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year, as voted on by the convention coaches the convention workplace introduced Thursday.

Whitaker guided the Cougars to their finest season in program historical past in simply his second 12 months as head coach, turning into the primary Cougar swimming coach to earn convention coach of the 12 months honors.

This previous season, Washington State completed second on the Mountain West Conference Championships, posted its second straight undefeated season after going 7-0 in twin meets and produced 12 all-conference picks, 4 all-conference relay groups, and two All-Americans for the primary time in program historical past.

At the 2026 MWC Championships in Houston, regardless of not having a diving program, the Cougars completed second among the many 11 groups for the perfect end at a convention championships in program historical past. The Cougars claimed seven occasion titles, six people medaled and sophomore Darcy Revitt was named Co-Swimmer of the Meet. Following the championships, a program-record 12 swimmers and 4 relays earned All-Mountain West Conference honors.

For the fourth straight season and second underneath Whitaker, a number of Cougars earned journeys to the NCAA Championships the place senior Emily Lundgren and Revitt turned the primary set of Cougar teammates to earn All-America honors in the identical season. Lundgren and Revitt each earned All-America second-team honors on the 2026 NCAA Championships after Lundgren completed No. 15 within the 200 Breast whereas Revitt completed No. 16 within the 100 Free.

This previous season, the Cougars set 47 WSU Top-10 instances, set 16 college information and 9 Gibb Pool information.

Prior to being named the pinnacle coach in May of 2024, Whitaker labored seven seasons because the Cougars Director of Operations and later turned an assistant coach for the 2023-24 season.