Washington State University recently announced the hiring of Tylor Mathieu as the new assistant swim coach of the women’s only program.
Mathieu, a recent graduate from the University of Florida, joins the swimming program under head coach Russell Whitaker, who just took up the role in late May.
“I am honored and thrilled to receive this opportunity to join the coaching staff at Washington State University!” Mathieu said in the official announcement. “I would like to thank Russ Whitaker, Anne McCoy, and Brad Corbin for putting their trust in me. I am excited to continue the development of the distance program and collaborate with the rest of the staff to ensure our student-athletes are competing to the best of their abilities.”
Mathieu competed for the Florida Gators for four seasons between 2019 and 2023. As a student-athlete, she was a six-time All-American and a four-time Academic All-American in addition to helping the team to an SEC Championship her senior season.
Mathieu also raced at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, contesting the 400 free, 800 free and 100 breast. Her best finish was in the 800, in which she placed 21st.
While completing her degree at Florida, Mathieu served as a student manager for the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams, organizing team sponsored events and assisting with social media coverage while working with the director of operations.
Whitaker expressed his enthusiasm for Mathieu to join the coaching staff in the university’s announcement.
“I could not be more excited to bring Tylor Mathieu to Pullman to assist with our program,” Whitaker said. “Tylor’s experience as a student-athlete and as a manager at Florida will be invaluable to us as a program. More than that, Tylor is passionate about the sport, is extremely motivated, and has a work ethic that is hard to rival.”
The 2023-2024 season saw Washington State foster the program’s first All-American since 2007, as sophomore Emily Lundgren finished 14th in the 200 breaststroke at the NCAA Championships after losing a swim-off for 8th place at the meet in March.
Washington State was the lone swimming school to be left in the Pac-12 after the major conference realignment this past offseason. The Washington State women’s swim program has since joined the Mountain West conference for the next two seasons but there is still some uncertainty with the Pac-12 break up.
Mathieu is taking over the position from former assistant coach Matt Leach, who is now the head coach at Iowa State.
Mathieu wrapped up her undergraduate studies in the spring of 2024, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a minor in education and a certificate in sport management.
She will kick off her first season with the Cougars during the 2024-2025 academic year.
