MACOMB, Ill. (NEWS3) — Western Illinois University Athletics Department announced who will be the new head coach for the swimming and diving team.
WIU Director of Athletics Danielle Suprenant said Scott Johannsen will return to campus as the new head coach.
He is a Davenport, Iowa native and most recently served as the head coach of the Rock Island Country Orcas club team.
Johannsen is a familiar face to the athletic department, after he was the team captain of the WIU swimming and diving team in 1983.
“I’m happy to be back on campus, I am looking forward to leading Leatherneck swimming and diving to new heights,” Johannsen said.
Before returning to WIU, Johannsen was the head swimming and diving coach at Augustana College in Illinois from 2008 until 2014. During that time, he was named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Coach of the Year for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 season.
Suprenant hopes recruiting will increase by bringing Johannsen on board.
“Scott has a great deal of connections within the swimming community that will impact recruiting immediately,” Suprenant said.
Johannsen and his wife Cheryl have four children and one grandson.
Former coach Greg Naumann was previously the head coach for ten seasons before he was terminated at the beginning of the school year. WIU Athletics did not comment on why he was let go.
WIU’s next meet is Saturday at home against SLU at 1 p.m.
