Oregon State University has named Jennifer Buffin as the new head coach of their women’s-only swimming & diving team, announced on Thursday afternoon.
Buffin comes from the University of Hawaii, where she was the Associate Head Coach. Buffin had been with the Hawaii program since 2006.
“The OSU community is getting one of the best young coaches in America,” former Hawai’i head coach Victor Wales said. “Jen has been the heart and soul of the Hawai’i program for many years. She has the drive, expertise and connections to get Oregon State into the Top 25.”
Wales stepped down as the head coach at Hawaii after last season, and Dan Schemmel was brought in to replace him.
During her time at Hawaii, the men won 1 conference title (the 2011 Conference USA Championships). Prior to her time on the islands, she spent 3 years on staff at her alma mater San Jose State University and working as an assistant coach at Loretto High School. She previously coached at the Arden Hills Swim Club in northern California; though most of her adult life has been spent in the western United States, she’s actually a native of Virginia.
“My goal is to continue to strengthen the program on a local, conference and national level. I look forward to arriving in the `best college town in the Pac 12,'” Buffin said.
She will be a member of the Phillippines coaching staff that travels to the Olympics next month as the personal coach of Jasmine Alkhaldi (one of two Filipino Olympic swimmers – Jessie Lacuna being the other).
“What really stands out about Coach Buffin is her vision for our program,” Oregon State Director of Athletics Todd Stansbury said. “She has experience at all levels of competition, demonstrates a true understanding for student-athlete welfare and is a winner. I’m excited for her to join the OSU family and our strong stable of coaches, and look forward to her developing our program.”
Oregon State graduated their lone NCAA qualifier, Sammy Harrison, after last season. Hawaii sent both male and female athletes to last year’s NCAA Championship meets, but only 1 swimmer – junior Yuri Samouilich. Both teams scored at the NCAA Championships thanks to their divers.
Nice, nice coach!