Peg Swadener is in her 12th year as the head coach of the Willamette University women's team in 2023-24. Swadener was previously the associate head coach of women's basketball at Portland State University.

During her time at Willamette, Swadener has rebuilt the women's basketball program. She was named head coach prior to the 2012-13 season after Willamette won just one game in 2011-12.

Several years of rebuilding led to a very successful 2017-18 season, when Willamette earned a 17-10 overall record and a runner-up finish in the Northwest Conference Tournament. The Bearcats were 16-9 in the regular season, including a 62-55 win at #9-ranked Whitman College on Feb. 16. Six days later, the Bearcats returned to Walla Walla, Washington, and defeated Whitman in the semifinals of the NWC Tournament. Willamette fell to #14-ranked George Fox University, 60-50, in the NWC Tournament Championship Game. Senior Kylie Towry completed her Willamette career as the Bearcats' all-time leading scorer with 1,433 points.

The Bearcats finished the 2019-20 season with a 13-12 overall record, including an 8-5 mark at Cone Field House. Willamette did not play any games in 2020-21 due to COVID-19.

Peg Swadener talks with the team during a timeout.

In 2022-23, the Bearcats finished 14-12 overall and 9-7 in the Northwest Conference after qualifying for the NWC Tournament. The Bearcats hit 144 three-point baskets, held opponents to 59.7 points per game, and blocked 82 shots (3.2 per game).

Prior to arriving at Willamette, Swadener was an assistant coach at Portland State for five seasons. She was hired as an assistant coach at PSU in 2007 and quickly earned a promotion to associate head coach in 2008.

At PSU, she served as the team's recruiting coordinator, scouting coordinator and academic coordinator. In addition she has been the communication liaison between the team, support staff and administrative staff. She has mentored and trained the assistant coaches.

Her recruiting efforts led to Eryn Jones, Courtney VanBrocklin and Kate Lanz to choose Portland State. Jones was named Big Sky Conference Most Valuable Player in 2010-11, VanBrocklin was chosen Big Sky Newcomer of the Year in 2010-11 and Lanz was named Big Sky Newcomer of the Year in 2011-12.

As the academic coordinator for the PSU women's basketball team, she monitored the academic efforts of the Vikings. Two of PSU's players earned Academic All-America recognition from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) during her time with the Vikings.

Swadener coached Portland State's guards from 2007-08 through 2009-10, including two-time First Team All-Big Sky Conference selection Claire Faucher. In 2010-11 and 2011-12, Swadener was assigned to the post players on the roster, including Kelli Valentine, who earned First Team All-Big Sky honors.

While working at Portland State, Swadener was active in getting the women's basketball team involved with Special Olympics.

Peg Swadener chats with a referee.

She coached the Washington County "A" basketball team within Special Olympics Oregon and included PSU players as assistant coaches. Many of her players also participated in open gym time with athletes from Special Olympics.

Prior to coaching at PSU, she was an assistant basketball coach at Boise State University from 1997-98 through 2001-02, was an assistant coach at Idaho State University in 2002-03, was an assistant coach at the University of Oregon from 2003-04 through 2005-06, and was an assistant coach at Princeton University in 2006-07.

Swadener was the head girls' junior varsity coach and assistant girls varsity coach at her alma mater, Marist High School in Eugene, Oregon, in 1995-96 and 1996-97.

As a collegiate athlete, Swadener competed on the University of Oregon women's basketball team from 1989-90 through 1992-93. She received Pac-10 Academic Honors three times. She was a representative on the Team Council, a group of athletes providing a liaison between Oregon's student-athletes and the administration. She received the Centurion Award from Oregon in 1992, as one of the top 100 all-around students attending the university.

Swadener received a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Movement Science from the University of Oregon in June of 1994. She earned a Master of Science degree from Boise State University in Exercise and Sport Science in December of 2010.