Russell Whitaker – Washington State University Athletics

Washington State University Athletics tabbed Russell Whitaker to steer the Cougars’ Women’s Swimming program, Director of Athletics Anne McCoy introduced May 23, 2024.

Whitaker labored the earlier seven seasons because the Director of Operations and added assistant coach duties previous to the 2023-24 season. Since coming to WSU in 2017, Whitaker has been on staffs who’ve produced 10 NCAA choices, seven Mountain West titles and one Pac-12 particular person champion.

In his first season main the Cougars, Whitaker noticed WSU put up an ideal 8-0 report in twin meets, tying the report for single-season wins and the primary undefeated season in program historical past. Three Cougars earned journeys to the NCAA Championships, marking simply the second in program historical past with three NCAA choices. Whitaker noticed junior Emily Lundgren earn All-America honors in two occasions whereas ending sixth within the 200 breast for one of the best NCAA end by a Coug swimmer in program historical past. Lundgren was named the Mountain West Conference Swimmer of the Year, ten swimmers and 4 relays earned all-league honors after WSU claimed 5 particular person titles and two relay championships whereas 4 swimmers earned CSC Academic All-District honors led by Lundgren who was additionally named Academic All-America.

In 2023-24 as an assistant coach, Whitaker helped a pair of Cougar swimmers earn spots within the NCAA Championships, noticed Emily Lundgren medal twice on the Pac-12 Championships and later turned WSU’s first All-American since 2007. Additionally, Lundgren was additionally named an Academic All-American, 4 swimmers earned CSC Academic All-District honors and 16 had been named to the Pac-12 Winter Academic Honor Roll.

Over the earlier six years, Whitaker served as the pinnacle membership coach for Cougar Aquatics the place he produced athletes who’ve certified for native championships, Senior & Age Group Zones, Sectionals, Futures, Winter & Summer Junior Nationals, TYR Pro Swim Series, Winter National Qualifiers and U.S. Olympic Trials. Cougar Aquatics has additionally produced 4 Scholar All-Americans and one swimmer chosen to attend the distinguished 2022 National Select Camp. 

For his in depth work on the native and nationwide degree, Whitaker was acknowledged because the Inland Empire Swimming coach of the yr in 2022. He additionally served on the USA Swimming National Select Camp workers for the 2022 girls’s workforce because the Assistant Manager and was the Manager for the boy’s (13-16) workforce in 2023 the place he labored alongside among the prime swimmers and coaches throughout the nation. Russell is a member of the American Swim Coaches Association the place he’s presently a Performance Level 4 licensed coach – putting him inside the prime 10% of coaches within the nation. 

Whitaker graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2017 with a bachelor’s diploma in Physical Education and earned his Master’s in Athletic Administration from Ohio University in 2020. 

Whitaker and his spouse, Hanna reside in Pullman.