By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Brent Summers has been promoted to head coach of men's and women's swimming at Willamette University, Director of Athletics Rob Passage announced today. Summers, who has been an assistant coach for the Bearcat swimming teams over the past three seasons, will begin his new duties immediately.

"I'm humbled and honored to be promoted to head coach for the men's and women's teams," Summers said. "I would like to thank Rob Passage for giving me the opportunity to lead our teams forward."

As a student-athlete, Summers attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo from 2005 through 2009 and was a member of the swimming team. He served as team captain for his junior and senior years, and was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for three years. He received a bachelor of science degree in 2010. He earned a master's degree from Portland State University in 2014.

Prior to joining the athletic staff at Willamette, Summers served as an adjunct professor at Portland State University and was an assistant site coach for the Portland Athletic Club. He began coaching in 2009 at the San Luis Obispo Swim Club after completing his collegiate swimming career. In 2010, he moved to Long Beach and started coaching at Long Beach Swim Club. Summers also spent time as an assistant coach for the Wilson Classical High School girls' swimming team.

"Having been the assistant coach at Willamette for the past three years I understand the type of culture we have here and I have been able to build relationships with our swimmers," Summers said. "I'm fully committed to continuing to build upon, and strengthen, the culture and success of Willamette Swimming and I'm excited for next season with our incoming class and our returning swimmers."

Summers replaces former Head Coach Leslie Shevlin, who is now Willamette's associate athletics director and senior woman administrator.

"Brent has done an outstanding job in our department and across campus during his time as an assistant coach," Passage said. "His relationship with our current student-athletes and knowledge about Willamette University and our swimming program should make for a smooth transition into this new role.  We are excited to see him continue to build upon the strong foundation set in place by Coach Shevlin.

The three years as an assistant coach at Willamette have given Summers the confidence to take on new responsibilities as the head coach.

"I would like to thank Leslie for the past three years," Summers said. "She, along with the team, has helped me grow as a coach and individual and because of her leadership and mentoring I feel prepared to step into this role."

"I have all the confidence in the world that Coach Summers will continue to uphold the positive culture within which the swim team operates," Shevlin said. "I congratulate him on his new position and I am looking forward to seeing the program grow."