Learn from experienced college coaches

Matt Emmert is the Head Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving programs at Roger Williams University (D3) and serves as Assistant Athletic Director and Aquatics Coordinator. Since joining RWU in 2012, he has led the Hawks to multiple conference championships while coaching more than 170 New England champions and numerous national qualifiers.

Paul Bennett is the Aquatics Director and Head Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (D3). Entering his 22nd season with the program, Bennett has led WPI to consistent success at the conference and regional levels and has been named NEWMAC Swimming Coach of the Year multiple times during his tenure

Eric Thurston is the Head Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving programs at Babson College (D3). Since taking over the program, Thurston has guided the Beavers to strong performances in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC), including record-setting seasons and conference championship success. Prior to Babson, he coached at Boston College and University of Virginia, contributing to multiple program records and championship performances.

Kristy Jones is the Head Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving programs at the College of the Holy Cross (D1). A former standout swimmer at Indiana University and an Olympic Trials qualifier, Jones brings extensive collegiate coaching experience and is focused on developing student-athletes both in the pool and academically.

Logan Hellwig is an Assistant Coach for the Women’s Swimming & Diving program at the University of Rhode Island, where he contributes to the development of student-athletes in the Atlantic 10 Conference. A former Atlantic 10 swimmer at St. Bonaventure University, Hellwig began his coaching career at the club level with Connecticut Aquatic Club before joining URI in 2022. Known for his strong ties to the New England swimming community, he brings a passion for the sport and a commitment to athlete growth at the collegiate level.

Matthew Distler is the Head Coach of the Women’s Swimming & Diving program at Stonehill College (NCAA Division I), where he has led the Skyhawks since 2022. Under his leadership, the program has shown steady improvement in the Northeast Conference, achieving its highest-ever finish in 2025 while earning multiple weekly conference honors and academic accolades.

Prior to Stonehill, Distler served as head coach at SUNY New Paltz, where he coached numerous All-SUNYAC performers and led both the men’s and women’s programs to strong conference finishes.