West Virginia University men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach Vic Riggs announced today the hiring of Richard West as assistant coach.
“I am thrilled to accept the position at West Virginia University. The focus on swimming well at the Big 12 Championship, the NCAA Championship and the Olympic trials have helped Vic Riggs and his staff to build a competitive program that has consistently performed well in those meets,” said West, a native of Moundsville, West Virginia. “The opportunity to become a part of a program on the rise, which also happens to be my home state, is a dream come true. Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer.”
West was a volunteer coach for the WVU men’s and women’s swimming team from 2012-15.
“Rick brings a high quality of coaching expertise, and I look forward to him making our program better in and out of the pool,” said Riggs.
West served as head coach at Wheeling Jesuit from 2007-12 and was the Aquatics Director. He was responsible for the organization, compliance, budgeting and recruiting for the NCAA Division II program in the Appalachian Swimming Conference and West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. In 2010 and 2011, West was awarded Appalachian Swimming Conference Men’s Coach of the Year.
As assistant coach at Pitt in 2003-04, he assisted in coaching the eighth consecutive Big East Conference men’s swimming champion team, the 19th title in 22 years. He helped coach the men’s team to the most dual meet wins (14) in the university’s history in 2003, and he helped the women’s team reach its first winning dual meet record in four seasons (8-6) that same year.
At Duquesne in 2002-03, West led the Dukes to their first ever Atlantic 10 champion swimmer in the school’s 26-year history as head coach. Prior to working with the Dukes, he was an assistant men’s swimming coach at Ohio State in 2002. West was responsible for the recruiting process including scouting, contacting prospects and implementing a thorough follow-up plan for the incoming opportunities.
In 2002, West was the assistant men’s swimming coach for five months at Ohio State. He represented OSU at the United States Summer Nationals in August 2002.
“Rick’s enthusiasm for coaching and the sport is what I am excited most about him bringing to the program. These aspects will enhance both the day-to-day operations of our program and in our recruiting,” said Riggs.
West developed a new men’s and women’s swimming program entirely from top to bottom, serving as the head coach at Steubenville High from 1996-2000. He coached the newly established team to a record of 94-16 in dual meet competitions.
West attended West Liberty, earning a bachelor’s of arts in education in 1997. In 2010, he received a master’s degree in athletic coaching education from West Virginia University. Currently, he’s a doctoral student pursuing a degree in coaching and teaching studies and anticipates to graduate in May of 2016.
He and his wife, Sarah, have three children, Carleigh (16), Sydney (15) and Quinton (8).
