UL-Monroe Hires Weddell

The University of Louisiana at Monroe today named Sean Weddell, former assistant swim coach at Clemson and two other universities, as head swim coach to succeed John Pittington, who died earlier this year.

Weddell's appointment was announced by Traci Murphy, senior women's administrator at the university, and is subject to the approval of the University of Louisiana System Board.

The new ULM coach has been the assistant swim coach and recruiting coordinator at Clemson University for the past two years. Earlier he was assistant women's coach at the University of Akron and assistant men's coach at Southern Illinois University.

"We're very excited to have Sean as our new coach," says Murphy, who conducted the search for a new coach on behalf of incoming Athletic Director Bobby Staub. "We selected him from among several outstanding applicants. He has some excellent division one experience as a coach and recruiter and we are sure he will continue the progress that our swimming program experienced under Coach Pittington."

Faculty Athletic Committee Chairman Walter Creekmore, who also interviewed Waddell, called the new coach "highly qualified. He has excellent credentials along with great enthusiasm and social skills."

Weddell, who becomes only the third ULM swim coach since the sport was introduced at the university in 1980, said he was "elated" to be named the new coach.

"I consider this a terrific opportunity," he continued. "I believe that with the admission of the university to full membership in the Sun Belt Conference, great things can happen in ULM swimming. The potential is unlimited and it's an honor and privilege for me to get the chance to continue the tradition that Coach Pittington helped establish."

The new Indian coach handled all aspects of recruiting at Clemson, including the budget, and was responsible for all equipment purchases and maintenance. He coached Clemson's first NCAA qualifier in five years and first Atlantic Coast Conference champion and all-American in 15 years. With his help, both the men's and women's teams ranked in the top 40 in the NCAA meet, and the men registered their highest victory total in the 52-year history of the program.

In his year at Akron, the women's team broke 17 team records and had the school's first Mid-American Conference individual champion. At Southern Illinois, he helped the men's team go undefeated in dual meets in 2000-01 and achieve a top 30 national ranking in 1999-2000.

Prior to entering collegiate coaching, Weddell was head swim coach at Columbus East High School in his hometown of Columbus, Ind., in 1997-99, coaching the school's first all-state swimmer in 10 years.

Weddell, 35, is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in organizational communications and was a member of the Wildcat swim team.

He is married to the former Melissa Schnuck of Yorktown, Ind.

Pittington, who died March 30, was coach at ULM for 21 years.