Former Wisconsin-Milwaukee head coach and University of Maryland assistant Erica Janssen has been hired as the new women’s swimming assistant coach, Purdue head coach John Klinge announced today.Purdue alumna and longtime assistant coach Darlene Renie will remain part of the program, transitioning to the role of supervisor of swimming and diving operations for both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams. Renie served as a Purdue assistant coach for 14 years, beginning in the 1996-97 school year.
Janssen was an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s teams at Maryland during the 2010-11 season after spending two years as the head coach of both the men and women at Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She was named the 2010 Horizon League Coach of the Year after leading the UWM men to their first conference title in a decade. The women’s team was also the runner-up at the 2010 Horizon League Championships.
Janssen made the transition from assistant to head coach at Milwaukee, serving two years as an assistant prior to becoming the leader of the two programs. She also worked one year as a graduate assistant at Ball State while earning a master’s degree in sports administration.
During Janssen’s tenure as the head coach at Milwaukee, the Panthers rewrote their record books. Sixty-five total records were eclipsed 77 different times in her two years. She helped coach 13 individual league champions. At Maryland, she coached Atlantic Coast Conference champions in the 50 free and 100 fly on the women’s side. The Terrapins had four swimmers qualify for the NCAA Championships, earning All-America and Honorable Mention All-America honors en route to finishing 22nd with 42 team points. The 200 free relay team placed eighth nationally.
A five-time All-American and four-time NCAA qualifier during her college career at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Janssen spent one year as a volunteer assistant coach at her alma mater after closing out her career. She was an eight-time All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honoree, swimming on four conference champion relay teams. She helped lead the Pointers to the 2001 WIAC title.
Janssen earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and coaching from UWSP. She is a native of Oshkosh, Wis.
