STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern Director of Athletics Tom Kleinlein announced today the hiring of Amanda Caldwell as head women's swimming & diving coach for the department. Caldwell comes to Statesboro from Rice University, where she has served the last six seasons as an assistant coach for the Owls.

During her six seasons at Rice, the Owls have captured three Conference USA titles, as well as the 2014 CSCAA (Collegiate Swimming Coaches Association of America) Invitational Championships. Individually, Rice swimmers captured 28 C-USA meet titles in six seasons and the school qualified swimmers for seven different NCAA Championship events in those seasons.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have Amanda Caldwell join Eagle Nation as the new head coach of our swimming and diving program," Kleinlein said. "Her club and collegiate ties to the Georgia area, as well as her experience in developing and coaching championship swimmers collegiately, will help us take our program to the next level." 

"I see so much opportunity for growth with the Georgia Southern program," Caldwell said. "I really got a good sense of where it could go during the interview process, just stepping on campus and meeting people. There are a lot of great club programs and successful high schools in the southeast that have talent you can tap into. And I know the student-athletes who are already in the program are talented academically, talented athletically and very active in the community. That's the kind of program I want to be part of. I want our team members to be more than just athletes, I am looking for the whole package. That's who I see myself recruiting to Georgia Southern University. I'd like to express my most sincere gratitude to Tom Kleinlein, Lisa Sweany, Brandy Clouse and Chris Geyerman for giving me this incredible opportunity at Georgia Southern. I'm thrilled and beyond excited to lead this group of extraordinary women to new heights"

Caldwell was also the recipient of the prestigious Jean Freeman Scholarship from the CSCAA in 2018, given annually to assistant coaches whose exceptional contributions have brought recognition to their college or university, and whose leadership, integrity, honesty, competitive attitude and personal graciousness epitomize those characteristics reflected by Jean Freeman, longtime women's swimming coach at the University of Minnesota.

"The past few years at Rice, Coach [Seth] Huston has given me so much freedom in getting me involved in all aspects of running the program," Caldwell said. "I was fortunate that I had room to do that. I've already been stepping on deck, acting and feeling like I was a head coach. I know I'm ready. I am forever grateful for my time at Rice and for all the relationships I've made. The students and staff who make up this unique culture have been so supportive of me and my professional goals. I could not have asked for a better environment to grow into the coach I am today."

Prior to joining Rice University, Caldwell served as a volunteer assistant coach at Georgia Tech for four seasons, while also coaching for the Dynamo Swim Club in Atlanta. A four-year letterwinner at Youngstown State, Caldwell received her bachelor's degree in 2006 from the institution and earned her master's degree from James Madison University in 2008.

A native of Martins Ferry, Ohio, Caldwell is a 2001 graduate of Martins Ferry High School. She is a certified member of the American Swim Coaches Association (Level II) and also a member of United States Swimming. 

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT COACH CALDWELL

"Georgia Southern has made a great decision in hiring Amanda Caldwell to lead its swimming and diving program. Amanda has been deliberately preparing for this opportunity throughout her career. She will elevate team expectations and performances with a caring and accountable heart. I look forward to following Eagle Swimming and Diving's growth under her leadership."

Seth Huston
Head Women's Swimming Coach, Rice University

"Amanda Caldwell is first and foremost a caring and considerate woman. She puts herself in the shoes of her athletes at every stage in the coach-athlete relationship. Amanda is a tireless student of her profession. Amanda's quest for knowledge will translate into an enthusiasm, and an increase in passion, that the Georgia Southern student-athletes have for their sport. I am a better coach for having the opportunity to share the deck with her during different chapters in my coaching career."

Rich Murphy
Assistant Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving Coach, University of Tennessee

"Amanda is a phenomenal coach and I am thrilled for her new venture to lead at Georgia Southern. She has grown immensely in her position at Rice and through the professional development events she's chosen to attend. Amanda is a hard worker who is dedicated, organized and loyal. She is also a coach who cares deeply for her student-athletes and their growth while also knowing when to be goofy and laugh with them. Knowing her ties to Georgia, her style and expertise and her professionalism in coaching, Georgia Southern will be a team on the rise very quickly."

Katie Robinson
Head Women's Swimming & Diving Coach, Tulane University

"I am so happy for Amanda Caldwell and the Georgia Southern swim team. Amanda is an amazing coach who has worked very hard in our sport. She has shown she can help her swimmers grow academically, athletically, and emotionally in a sport that sets them up for future successes in their careers and in life. She has a great coaching mind and has really helped Rice grow over her six years in the program. She will do great things at Georgia Southern!"

Colleen Murphy
Head Women's Swimming Coach, United States Air Force Academy

"I've known Amanda Caldwell for the last two years as she has attended a Women's Coaching Summit that I facilitate. Amanda is a coach and an educator who values the learning process. She seeks out opportunities to learn, grow, and expand and brings that enthusiasm for growth to the people around her - including her staff and student-athletes. She's passionate about coaching and the sport of swimming. Amanda finds creative ways to inspire and motivate student-athletes to tap into their full potential both in and out of the pool."

Erica Quam
Founder and Director, The Coaching Experience

"Amanda Caldwell is a wonderful choice to lead the program at Georgia Southern, as a coach she understands all facets of leading a college program and will immediately build on the existing foundation. Amanda will have a tremendous impact on the development of the current and future women in the program in the pool, in the classroom and most importantly for their future." 

Joel Shinofield
Executive Director, College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America