Washington State University has announced the hiring of Jackie Mudd as the new assistant coach for the women’s swimming and diving program. Mudd fills the role previously held by Tylor Mathieu, who took a new assistant role with South Carolina in late June.
“I am ecstatic to announce the hiring of Jackie to our coaching staff at Washington State,” head coach Russell Whitaker said in the university’s press release. “Jackie was an immediate attraction to our assistant coach opening due to her infectious personality, her ambitious goals within the sport, and her work ethic. Jackie was able to recruit the number one class for all of Division II, an incredible feat for a first year coach.
“Jackie was also instrumental in the success of if their distance swimmers at the D2 NCAA Championships. We are excited to see her continue to elevate our distance program and continue to put WSU swimming on the map. We can’t wait to have her in Pullman to join the family!”
Mudd brings one year of collegiate coaching experience from her 2024-25 season as assistant coach for both men’s and women’s swimming at the Colorado School of Mines, where she specialized in coaching distance and IM. She also worked as the recruiting coordinator, helping build what SwimCloud ranked as the nation’s top Division II incoming class.
Prior to entering the collegiate coaching realm, Mudd coached for three years (2022-25) with USA Swimming’s Governors Ranch Gators Swim Team, working with athletes ages 8-18, and served as an assistant coach at Northview High School in California in 2024.
“I am beyond excited for the opportunity to join the Cougar Family and swim program at Washington State University!” Mudd said. “I would love to thank Russ Whitaker, Austin Pillado, Anne McCoy and Brad Corbin for trusting me to help lead the distance program as well as this entire group of women. I’m looking forward to developing these women as athletes, students, and as amazing people! Russ, Austin, and the entire athletic department show so much passion for the program, that I can’t wait to be apart of! Let’s get to work! GO COUGS!”
The Colorado native competed collegiately at Biola University in California, specializing in backstroke and individual medley events. During her time there, she helped lead the Eagles to a 2021 conference championship and earned four-time CSCAA Academic All-American honors before graduating in 2024.
Mudd joins associate head coach Austin Pillado on the coaching staff. Pillado was promoted earlier this month after serving as an assistant coach last season.
Washington State finished the regular season 8-0 this past season. The Cougars placed 5th at the Mountain West Conference Championships in their debut campaign in the conference following the dismantling of the Pac-12. The Cougars earned a 33rd place finish at the NCAA Championships with all 14 points being scored by junior Emily Lundgren, who placed 16th in the 100 breaststroke before touching to 6th in the 200 breast.
