Courtesy: Wheeling University Athletics
Wheeling, W. Va. – Following a historic season for both the Wheeling University Men’s and Women’s Swimming teams, the programs will continue their growth with a new leader at the helm.
On Friday, the Wheeling University Athletic Department announced Will Hughes as the new Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming Coach, taking over for Cory Kephart who stepped down after three seasons at the helm. Hughes has spent the last seven seasons coaching at the collegiate level and is excited to help continue the growth of both programs into 2025 and beyond.
“It’s an honor to have been selected to help build on such a reputable program here at Wheeling University,” said Hughes. “I am excited to work with the Cardinal family of administrators, coaches, and talented student-athletes.”
Hughes has spent the previous two seasons at Emory & Henry College, where he helped both Wasp programs reach new heights. Hughes helped elevate both programs with the Men’s team setting seven new school records under his tenure, while the women’s team would set four. He helped elevate the women’s program to a 4th place finish at the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Championships during the 2023-2024 season. Despite Emory & Henry announcing the cutting of the swim programs this past season, Hughes was still able to lead the team to a 6th place finish at the SAC Championships.
Under his watch, Emory & Henry had their first-ever National B Cut qualifier, when Mackenzie Barnett qualified in the 1650 Freestyle. Barnett would also earn the school’s first podium finish at the SAC Championships in the 1650 Freestyle, finishing with a time of 17:32. He also helped lead Hope Christensen to the school’s second National B Cut in the Women’s 50 Freestyle, swimming a time of 23.65.
Prior to joining the Emory & Henry swimming programs, Hughes was the head coach for four seasons at WVU Tech. He would help post four consecutive successful seasons with the Golden Bears, in which his teams would improve their ranking in the NAIA each season. During the 2022-23 season, Hughes was named the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Coach of the Year after leading the men’s program to a 2nd place finish and the women’s program to a 3rd place finish at the conference championships.
He also coached Paul Ignacio Jr. To the NAIA National Championship in the Men’s 100-Yard Breaststroke during the 2019-2020 season, and was honored as the National Swimmer of the Meet
In total, Hughes has coaches seven All-Americans while at WVU Tech and has also helped three swimmers make the jump to NCAA DI programs. Donat Fabian (PITT), Samantha Pepevnik (University of Wisconsin Green Bay), and Barnett (University of Wisconsin Green Bay) all made the jump to the NCAA DI level. Along with leading athletes to success in the pool, Hughes helped the Emory & Henry Swimming programs earn four College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) All-American Team Awards. Last semester, his women’s team would rank third in women’s team GPA at a 3.78.
Before working with the WVU Tech swimming programs, Hughes was an assistant coach for the Golden Bears’ Men’s Basketball team for four seasons. Prior to WVU Tech, Hughes spent two seasons as a YMCA/USA swim coach, where he began his coaching career.
“Coach Hughes’s experience and values align with Wheeling University’s mission to educate for life, leadership, and service,” said Wheeling University Athletic Director Carrie Hanna. “We are excited for the future of Cardinal Swimming under his watch.”
Before beginning his coaching career, Hughes spent nearly 16 years in the aviation industry, working for industry leaders such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Boeing as well as other companies in both the private and public sector. He is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Navy, where he served as a Petty Officer Third Class aboard three aircraft carriers.
Hughes graduated cum laude from WVU Tech in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and government and earned a Master of History Degree from Liberty University in 2018. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in history, also from Liberty.
