Eau Claire Promotes Assistant

Art Brandt has been named the UW-Eau Claire men’s and women’s swimming and diving head coach, Director of Athletics Scott Kilgallon announced today following a national search.

“We are extremely pleased that Coach Brandt will lead our swimming and diving program,” Kilgallon said. “The search committee’s main task was to recommend a candidate who is committed to the academic and athletic success of our student-athletes. Coach Brandt has the expertise and passion to move the Blugold program forward competitively and is equally passionate in developing our student-athletes in the classroom and as human beings. Our university and the swimming and diving teams are very fortunate to have a quality coach.”

Brandt has been with the Blugolds since 2004 as an assistant swimming and diving coach. The last two seasons he served as associate head coach and has been the interim head coach for the past few months following former head coach Jerry Kollross’ resignation earlier this summer. Now that he will serve in the permanent position, he hopes to continue to improve the achievements of the team not only in the pool, but also in the classroom.

“Being in the position as a head coach at the collegiate level is a natural progression in my cumulative years of experience around swimmers and divers and their families,” Brandt said. “I plan, with the support of our assistant coaches, to continue to create a culture of success for the Blugold men’s and women’s swimming and diving program at UW-Eau Claire. That success will only come with high expectations in the classroom, on the boards, and in the pool.”

Brandt’s experience includes coaching positions in men’s and women’s swimming and diving in Menomonie, Wisconsin and Minneapolis, Minnesota for almost 15 years prior to his four seasons with the Blugolds. He was also a varsity swimmer during his time as an undergraduate student at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

At Miami University, Brandt earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial education. He also earned his master’s degree in special education from UW-Eau Claire.

In addition to coaching, Brandt has worked as a general and special education teacher for 22 years and in adult rehabilitation for 11 years. Currently he is entering his sixth year as an associate lecturer for the UW-Eau Claire Special Education Department.

Brandt lives in Menomonie with this wife Bobby. The couple has three children (Hannah, Josh, and Max).