Mesa State College Athletic Director, Jamie Hamilton, today announced the hiring of Brian Pearson as women’s Head Swimming and Diving Coach. "We’re extremely excited to have someone of Brian’s caliber on board," said Hamilton.

"Brian brings experience, leadership and an in depth knowledge of the sport that will ensure our student-athletes the opportunity to succeed.” Mesa State announced the addition of the swimming and diving team last fall. The team competed in their first intercollegiate meet November 19, 2005 at Metro State, under the guidance of interim head coach, Merlin Schreiner. Pearson has been the head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado since 1998, where he led the Tigers to five conference team titles, 91 championship titles, 101 school records, 21 national qualifiers and coached four All-Americans. Under his tutelage CC has had four individual and seven team Academic All- Americans. Pearson is a three-time recipient of the American Swimming Coaches Association Coaching Excellence Award.

A native of Pueblo, Colorado, Pearson was a high school All-American at Pueblo Central, a two-time Colorado State Swimming Champion and two-time Junior National Champion and record holder. He was named Colorado Swimming Inc. Male Swimmer of the Year in 1983.

Pearson attended the University of Missouri and the University of Wyoming during his collegiate swim career. He was an All-Big Eight Conference selection and champion in 1984 and 1985 at the University of Missouri. In 1987 and 1988 he was a two-time Western Athletic Conference Champion and All WAC selection as a member of the University of Wyoming swim team. He qualified for the NCAA Division I Swimming Championships in 1988. From 1985 to 1989 he was a United States Swimming National qualifier and finalist.

Before embarking on his collegiate coaching career he successfully coached numerous swim clubs programs in Denver (Greenwood Village), Englewood (Cherry Hills Country Club), Pueblo (Minnequa Club) and locally with the Grand Junction Dolphins swim club. Pearson earned a bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation from the University of Wyoming. Brian and his wife, Tiffiney, have two children; daughter Piper and son Kamden.