James Madison University has removed the interim tag from Dane Pedersen, promoting him to the full-blown head coaching role after a one-season trial.
“I am pleased to appoint Dane Pedersen to a multi-year contract as head coach over our women’s swimming and diving program,” Bourne said. “He shares our commitment to student-athlete well-being and maximizing their development academically and athletically. Most of all, he is fully supportive of their social development and ability to serve as leaders in their chosen profession after graduating from Madison.”
Pedersen was named interim head coach prior to last season after Richard Long resigned in May of 2014 after just one season with the Dukes.
While Pedersen will have a new title, he has a long history with the program, having served as an assistant coach for 7 years prior to spending last year as the interim head of the program.
The women’s-only team at James Madison placed 2nd at the 2015 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship meet, losing by 80 points to Towson’s third-straight conference title.
While JMU didn’t qualify anybody for the CAA Championships last season (they had done so the two previous years), they knocked 125 points from their conference championship meet deficit.
“I am excited and honored to be able to lead the JMU swimming and diving program in the upcoming years,” Pedersen said. “JMU is such a special place, and I feel very blessed to be a part of this program. I want to thank Mr. Bourne and Mrs. Phillips for the opportunity and for their support in my role as head coach. I also would like to thank my family for the endless and unconditional love they provide.”