Gardner-Webb announced the hiring of Scott Teeters as head coach of its men's and women's swimming programs in advance of the 2018-2019 season.
Teeters comes to GWU from Olivet Nazarene in Bourbonnais, Ill., where he started the swim program in 2012.
"We were very pleased with the quality of interest in our swim programs, but Scott rose to the top of that list," said Vice President for Athletics Chuck Burch. "His track record of success in the pool and commitment to Christian higher eduction are a perfect combination to continue the strong tradition built by Mike Simpson during his two decades here in Boiling Springs."
He is only the second head coach in Gardner-Webb swimming history, replacing Mike Simpson – who started the GWU women's program in 1999 and men's program in 2008. Simpson recently accepted a coaching position at the University of South Carolina.
"I feel blessed to have the opportunity to lead the Gardner-Webb swim programs into the future," said Teeters. "I want to thank Chuck Burch, Pam Scruggs and the entire Gardner-Webb administration and support staff for welcoming me into the family. I look forward to carrying on Coach Simpson's legacy."
Teeters pushed Olivet Nazarene to greatness early in his career, including top-5 finishes on both the men's and women's side at the NAIA National Championships in his first season. The men finished third that season and the women took fourth at nationals.
Since then, Teeters has been named NAIA National Men's Coach of the Year two times (2014, 2016) and NAIA National Women's Coach of the Year twice (2014, 2017). He led the Tiger men to the 2016 NAIA National Championship. His women's squad finished second at the 2016 NAIA National Championships, wrapping up a sensational all-around season for the programs.
His 2017 season was even more impressive, as Teeters led the Tigers to dual national championships – winning both the women's and men's NAIA crowns. He was named NAIA National Coach of the Year on the women's side that season – his fourth NAIA National Coach of the Year award.
All told, Teeters' teams have won three combined national titles, have finished as runners up four times and have placed in the top-10 a combined 12 times since 2012. Teeters' swimmers have won 49 national championships at Olivet Nazarene during his tenure.
Teeters enjoyed a successful stint as a club coach in Rochester, Mich., before starting the collegiate programs at Olivet Nazarene – producing more than 30 national qualifiers, one national record holder and NCAA champions in all three divisions. One of his swimmers went on two medal three times in Olympic competition.
Teeters is no stranger to NCAA Division I swimming, having served as an assistant at Eastern Michigan and Oakland in his home state.
During his time at Eastern Michigan, he helped the Eagles to the MAC title in 2000 and 2001.
Outside of coaching, Teeters has been active in mission work. He spent time working with Africa Christian Ministries, living in a South African Zulu township – where he built a soccer field, shared the Gospel with locals and encouraged the local pastor.
Teeters earned his undergraduate degree in elementary education from Oakland University in 1980 and a masters degree in kinesiology with adaptive physical education endorsement from Wayne State in 2008.
During his time as a student-athlete at Oakland, he was a two-time team captain and was an NCAA Division II All-America swimmer in 1976, 1977 and 1978.
He is a member of the American Swim Coaches Association, International Swim Coaches Association and USA Swimming and College Swim Coaches Association.
