New Mexico Hires Former SMU Associate Naya Higashijima as New Head Coach

The University of New Mexico has hired former SMU associate head coach Naya Higashijima as the program’s new head swimming & diving coach.

Higashijima comes to the program after spending the last four seasons with the Mustangs. Her hiring comes the day after SMU announced Ozzie Quevedo as its new head coach. Higashijima’s former boss Steve Collins retired after 37 years leading the program.

Higashijima, a two-time CSCAA All-American swimmer at Oregon State, has nearly 20 years of NCAA Division I coaching experience.

Coaching History:

• SMU, associate head coach – 2019-2023
• UCLA, assistant/associate head coach – 2012-2019
• UCSB, assistant coach – 2004-2010

“I’m excited to bring Naya Higashijima to Albuquerque to lead our women’s swimming and diving program,” said Vice President/Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez. “Naya has been a part of several very successful programs and she believes in the total student-athlete experience.  Her track record of championships and academic successes will make her successful with our program.”

“I want to thank Eddie Nuñez and Ryan Berryman for believing in my ability to lead the Women’s Swimming and Diving team,” Higashijima said. “I am committed to contribute to the culture of excellence that coaches and the athletic department staff have built at the University of New Mexico over the years.  I am very thrilled and humbled for this amazing opportunity to work with people who are passionate about the student-athletes’ success.  They truly care about each one of the student-athletes and I am looking forward to working with our student-athletes.

“In addition, I have been positively influenced by my mentors who have given me an opportunity to work with and grow in this profession.  I would like to thank, Steve Collins (SMU), Greg Rhodenbaugh (SMU), Cyndi Gallagher (UCLA), Gregg Wilson (UCSB), and Larry Liebowitz (Oregon State) who I have shared the pool deck with and learn from.  Lastly, I chose to become a college coach because of my college coach, Mariusz Podkoscielny, who had a positive impact on my successful career as a student-athlete at Oregon State University and I am forever grateful for his guidance to lead me to choose my career path.”

Higashijima is a native of Kawaguchi, Japan and is part of a famous family of swimmers.

Her father Shinji was a national record holder in the individual medley and currently works for FINA (the Federation Internationale de Natation, the world governing body for several aquatic sports). Naya’s mother Kaoru was a National Champion swimmer in college winning the 200-meter freestyle race all four years she swam. Her brother Issei is a national record holder in the 5k open water race and was the team manager at Michigan in the mid-2000s.

Her other brother Sho was part of the 2010 National Championship basketball team at Pima Community College in Arizona and currently coaches professionally in Japan, where he at one time served as an assistant coach for Alvark, Tokyo. There he coached former Lobo basketball star Alex Kirk. Sho is currently the Head Coach for the Koshigaya Alphas.

New Mexico will be a big rebuilding project for Higashijima. The Lobos finished last out of 9 teams at last year’s Mountain West Conference Championship meet with 316 points – that was less-than-half of the points scored by 8th-place San Jose State.

The team’s best swimmer, Ola Tomaszek, who was 7th in the 100 breast and 8th in the 200 breast at the conference championship meet, was a senior. No other New Mexico swimmer or diver finished in the A-final at last year’s championship meet, and only three others scored more than 9 points individually.

The team’s head coach Keegan Ingelido resigned for what was called “personal reasons” midway through the season, leaving Michael Licon, the team’s only swimming assistant, to lead the team.

While Higahijima’s contract has not yet been released, Ingelido was working on a one-year contract that paid her $65,000.04.

WHAT COACHES ARE SAYING ABOUT NAYA HIGASHIJIMA

Steve Collins, Retired SMU Head Swimming & Diving Coach (1985-2023), former head coach of Slovakian Olympic Team (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008):

“I am very excited that Naya has been selected as the Head Coach at New Mexico.  Naya is a great person and coach who cares about her athletes as people.  Her contributions to our team’s success have been immeasurable and it has been a great pleasure to share the pool deck with her at SMU every day over the past four seasons.   She has the experience of  developing and coaching swimmers at the highest level and at the same time preparing them to be successful in life. Her experience at SMU combined with working with great coaches at Oregon State, USCB, and UCLA has prepared her for this opportunity. The future of New Mexico Swimming and Diving under Naya’s leadership is bright and I wish her and the Lobos the greatest success.”

Cyndi Gallagher, Retired UCLA Head Swimming & Diving Coach (1988-2019); current head coach of DC Trident:

“Coaching with Naya for seven years at UCLA, I know she is more than prepared to be a head coach.  She has an abundance of experience and an amazing ability to build team cohesiveness.  Naya’s work ethic, integrity and character are hard to match, and her philosophy of coaching the “whole person” will serve her well as she guides student-athletes to be the best they can be!  Congratulations to the University of New Mexico on an excellent hire and giving an opportunity for a woman to lead women. Go Lobos!”

Carol Capitani, University of Texas Head Swimming & Diving Coach (2012-current)

“I am very happy for Naya and know that she has the experience and skills to guide the University of New Mexico’s Women’s Swimming and Diving program to continued and future success!  Go Lobos!”

Greg Rhodenbaugh, SMU Head Men’s Swimming & Diving Coach (2019-current)

“Naya is a fantastic coach and an even better person. She is one of the hardest working coaches I have ever been around and puts her incredible wealth of swimming knowledge to work for each individual student athlete. Her passion for athlete development is something we will really miss her at SMU. UNM is lucky to have her!”

WHAT STUDENT-ATHLETES ARE SAYING ABOUT NAYA HIGASHIJIMA

Lia Foster, Former student-athlete at UCLA, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar

“Naya is a great coach and an even better person. She cares about her student-athletes in and out of the water. Naya’s kindness, depth of knowledge about swimming, incredible work ethic, integrity, and commitment to positive team culture were a huge part of why I chose to swim on her team. Even though I swam for Naya over four years ago, she continues to support and help me in any way she can. I am confident that Naya has the skillset and coaching prowess to produce successful swimmers and great women. The Lobos are very fortunate to have Naya join their team, and I am excited for the bright future of UNM women’s swimming and diving!”

Lisa Kaunitz, Former student-athlete at UCLA, CSCAA Scholar All-American Honorable Mention

“Congratulations to Naya the University of New Mexico! Having swam for Naya, I was able to see first-hand her hard work as a coach and care for student-athletes in and out of the pool. I am confident and excited to see her lead this team!”

Elena Escalas, Former student-athlete at UCLA, current software engineer at Google

“As a UCLA swimmer under Naya, I had the amazing opportunity to get to see her coach first-hand. Naya is an amazing combination of supportive and firm. Her emphasis on technique and holistic coaching style will make her an amazing fit for New Mexico. I can’t wait to watch Naya shine!”