Riley Hilbrandt Named As Illinois State Swimming & Diving Head Coach

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State swimming & diving team has found its new head coach, as former East Carolina University Assistant Swim Coach Riley Hilbrandt has been named by ISU Interim Director of Athletics Dr. Jeri Beggs to lead the program.

"We are thrilled to welcome Riley to Illinois State and look forward to her leadership of the Redbird swimming and diving program," Beggs said. "Riley brings passion and enthusiasm with her from East Carolina and a wealth of experience at various levels of swimming. She is an energetic leader, who brings out the best in her student-athletes and fellow coaches. Riley is a great fit for our program, and we look forward to having her on campus very soon."

Hilbrandt comes to Illinois State after spending the past three seasons at East Carolina. During her first season, Hilbrandt played an integral role in recruiting 16 new athletes to the 2022-23 Pirate squad. ECU advanced student-athletes participating in 16 individual events and five relay teams to the most recent CSCAA National Championships. A former Division I swimmer herself, Hilbrandt previously coached at Clarion University and The College of Wooster.

"I would like to thank Dr. Jeri Beggs, Leanna Bordner, Paul Kabbes, Cindy Harris and the entire Redbird athletic community for this amazing opportunity," Hilbrandt said. "I am beyond grateful for all the members of the athletic department for putting their trust in me to lead Redbird swim and dive. This program has had decades of success and been one of the top teams in the Missouri Valley Conference. To be a part of that tradition and community is something I will not take lightly. I promise to bring enthusiasm, grit, and the utmost dedication to assist these student-athletes compete at an elite level both in the pool and classroom.

"I would also like to thank Matthew Jabs and East Carolina University," Hilbrandt continued. "Coach Jabs allowed me to gain a vast amount of knowledge and provided excellent mentorship which I will always be grateful for. Finally, I'd like to express my gratitude for both Abby Steketee and Heidi Hendrick. Both have been great mentors and rocks throughout my entire swim and coaching career. I am incredibly excited to join the Redbird community and can't wait to be on deck with these amazing student-athletes."

Prior to heading to East Carolina, Hilbrandt spent two seasons (2019-21) as an assistant coach for the men's and women's teams at Clarion. During that time, she coached multiple Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) champions and medalists, while helping develop all student-athletes in the program. She also assisted with technique development, wrote dryland and swimming workouts, worked with recruiting, social media promotion and academic advisement.

Hilbrandt spent the 2018-19 season as an assistant coach at Wooster College, as both the men's and women's teams at Wooster finished in the top half of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). She aided in the development of Cameron Gelwicks, who competed at the NCAA Division III Championships in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle. Hilbrandt's other duties included preparing dryland workouts, perfecting athletes' technical skills and recruiting.

Before going to Wooster, Hilbrandt spent a year as a volunteer assistant coach at her alma mater, the University of Nevada, Reno. While working with the Wolf Pack, she conducted video review with athletes and helped them improve their technical stroke skills.  She was also in charge of travel arrangements for the team's competition schedule.
 
As a student-athlete at Nevada from 2013-17, Hilbrandt was one of the best breaststroke swimmers in school history. She graduated with the eighth-best 100 breaststroke time in program history (1:02.06) and had three of the top-10 times in the 200 breaststroke. In 2016, Hilbrandt helped lead the Pack to an undefeated 10-0 record, the first Mountain West championship in program history, and a top-25 College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) ranking.  That same year she earned her first of two All-Mountain West team honors when she finished fifth in the 200 breaststroke.

Hilbrandt graduated from Nevada-Reno in 2017 with a degree in public health and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Kinesiology. She will be joined in Normal by her partner, Andrew Celis.

What They Are Saying About Riley Hilbrandt:

Matthew Jabs, East Carolina Head Swimming & Diving Coach
"Riley is an outstanding coach. She has played an integral part in the rebuild of our program and will do an amazing job in her new role as Head Coach. She is a hardworking, focused, and caring individual who will connect with her student-athletes and help them reach their potential. Riley has paid her dues as an assistant at multiple stops and is ready to run her own show. I could not be prouder and wish her and the Redbirds nothing but success."  

Steve Paska, Former Illinois State Head Swimming Coach
"I am so excited that Riley Hilbrandt has been named the new head women's swim coach for the Illinois State Redbirds. 
Riley brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from her time as an assistant swim coach. She also offers an undeniable ability to build and nurture connections with the people she leads and collaborates with. Experience can get you far, but in my experience it's the relationships and comradery you establish with your present, future, and former athletes that ultimately leads to excellence, and I have no doubt that Riley has everything it takes to be the dynamic, inspiring head coach that Redbird swimmers and divers deserve."

Abby Steketee, Former Northwestern and Nevada-Reno Head Women's Swimming Coach 
"Illinois State could not have made a better hire than Riley. Riley brings out the best in everyone around her. Her positive energy, dedication to student-athletes, and knowledge of the sport will take the Redbird Swimming and Diving program to new heights. Congratulations to all involved, especially Riley and the student-athletes."

Caroline Bevillard, East Carolina Sr. Associate AD/SWA
"Bringing Riley Hilbrandt on board to lead the Illinois State swimming and diving program is a testament to their commitment and investment to their student-athletes. With her passion for and understanding of the sport, commitment to recruiting, and genuine care for the holistic development of student-athletes, Illinois State is poised to make waves both in the pool and beyond."

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