Vic Riggs has resigned as the head coach of the West Virginia Swimming & Diving programs after 17 years.
Riggs took over as WVU head coach in 2007 and has led the program to plenty of success during his tenure, including coaching 37 swimmers to the NCAA Championships and 15 to All-American status.
“I want to thank Ed Pastilong and Terri Howes for hiring me 17 years ago and giving me the opportunity to be the head coach of WVU Swimming and Diving,” Riggs said.
“I’ve enjoyed my 17 years here, and I am thankful for all the student-athletes, coaches and administrators I’ve had the pleasure to work with. I look forward to watching this program’s continued success. Once A Mountaineer, Always A Mountaineer.”
WVU competed in the Big East Conference for the first five seasons under Riggs, and transitioned to the Big 12 beginning in 2012-13.
At Big 12s, Riggs coached the women’s team to runner-up finishes behind Texas in 2013 and 2018, and the men’s team finished 2nd to the Longhorns six straight times from 2016 until 2021.
WVU Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said: “I want to thank Coach Riggs for his many years of service and dedication to our swimming and diving program. Our program is better thanks to the contributions Vic and his staff have made over his tenure. As we begin our search for a new head coach, I am confident we will have a very strong candidate pool. We have a first-class aquatics center, a strong conference and program that is resourced to compete at a high level.”
In dual meets, Riggs compiled a 57-46 men’s record and 49-74 women’s record during his time in Morgantown, and coached 19 Academic All-Americans, eight Big 12 Scholar-Athletes of the Year and 21 qualifiers for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
A Georgia native, Riggs joined WVU after spending one season as an assistant coach at the University of Georgia in 2006-07. Prior to that, he coached at USC under Mark Schubert, and also had prior experience as the head coach and owner of Gator Swim Club in Gainesville.
This past season, the WVU women finished 6th (out of eight teams) at the Big 12 Championships, while the men finished 5th (out of five teams) following the additions of BYU and Cincinnati.
The Mountaineers had two NCAA qualifiers in 2024, both coming on the women’s side. Mia Cheatwood finished 28th in the 100 breast and 30th in the 200 breast at NCAAs, while diver Abby Sullivan was 42nd on platform.
The school said it is beginning a national search for a new head coach of the combined swimming & diving program immediately.
This just doesn’t sit well with me. You’re telling me the just cleaned house? What about Lauren Cassano? Did they screw her over too?
Vic was a good man. Man had class, charisma, and knowledge but one thing for certain that man could not whoop me!!
But jokes aside, I think the times are just changing and with peoples growing optimistic attitudes toward their futures for bettering their situation and the people around them, Wren the chef, I think it’s easy to look at the haystack when you’re tryna find the needle and say, “you know what. Go get the lighter fluid!” So we’ll see…maybe it was Vic, maybe it was Mon river that Morgantown gets its drinking water from, maybe it’s the chemtrails, maybe it was Biden. Either way a new passionate, articulate, young and hungry head coach could very well come into… Read more »
Is this going to cause decommitments? transfers? What is the teams outlook
We are part of the 2028 committed class and so far the AD the Administration has been super up and up with us and that’s pretty much all I can say.. they reached out to my student athlete immediately once it was announced and kept my athlete in the loop with what’s going on
You are committed to go to wvu?
Best of luck to Vic, Rick, and the entire Mountaineer staff! I have no doubt they will all find success in the years ahead.
As the parent of a former WVU swimmer, my experience with the program and all the coaches was very positive. My son improved remarkably under the coaching staff and was rewarded with increased scholarships and greater opportunities in the pool. He created lifelong friendships and has very positive memories of his time at WVU. Let’s Go Mountaineers!
It has to be Coach Brooks? WV native, 2 sport athlete at WVU (Swimmer and Football), Head Coach at AB, Assistant at Bolles, Assistant at VT, Head Coach at Baylor School where he has turned the program around. It will pain us at Tech to see him in Blue and Gold but he’s the perfect fit… and getting meets going between WVU nd VT with he and Sergio would be the best reunion / rival… ever.
I Second this!!!!!
Agree- up and comer coach who happens to be wvu swim alumni.. and football alumni… and has lead multiple programs already?
This is incredibly disappointing news. As an in-state WV native that was blessed to be given a walk on spot to WVU, Vic transformed me into a swimmer that I never could have imagined was possible. He is firm on buying into his program and that is noted the first day you step foot on campus. Those who buy in often see results, and those who do not get out what they put in, and those results may not be what they are expecting. He fosters a trust the process mentality and although it may be grueling at times if you truly believe in what you are swimming for—the coaches, the team, and the state of West Virginia, you would… Read more »
I think that vic coach when coach. But no coach be gooder then him becuz hes da best. Wen I like swim ric viggs coach. yes. very good.
This post by Sussi Baka is reprehensible and whoever wrote it should be ashamed of themselves.
I don’t get it…if there’s something I’m missing and it should’ve been deleted, let me knkow. @DLswim
I think daved snider is very cool yes . maximum cool. yes very good. he swim and be fast yes.
When someone says “Trust me…” it’s best to be wary.
Morgantown/WV is not the most attractive locale for many to head to. This will either be a stepping stone job for someone or someone coming home. What head coaches and top assistants out there are from the area? Or even 2-3 hour drive from home? Pittsburgh is a lil over an hour away. Huntington & Columbus & Cleveland about 3 hours away. DC & Charlottesville 4 hours.
Including Huntington on that list is a decision
Payton Brooks – Has roots here, former WVU swimmer. He has coached olympians and has helped lead teams to championship status. Assistant at VT before taking on the head job at The Baylor School in Chattanooga TN. He has what it takes to take WVU to the next level; Discipline, knowledge, passion and more. Being a coach is about educating the kids for life, not for just 4 years. It’s an olympic year, lots of movement. I hope Wren Baker makes a wise choice – our facility is first class.
Morgantown very good yes very much. I like wen eclipse did the thing. yes. I not leaf morgantown ever bc it is good. yes . very good