University of Hawaii Hires New Swimming Assistant Coach
Riley Hilbrandt joins the staff to support the program during its first season in the Mountain West Conference.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Swimming
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The University of Hawaii has appointed Riley Hilbrandt as its new assistant swimming and diving coach. Hilbrandt joins the program as it transitions into the Mountain West Conference following a successful sweep of last year's Big West Championships.
Why it matters
The hiring marks a key personnel change for the swimming and diving program as it navigates a new conference landscape. Hilbrandt brings experience from her recent tenure as head coach at Illinois State and roles at East Carolina and Clarion University.
The transition involves a hire based on a career spanning head coaching and assistant roles at three prior universities. The depth of her collegiate background as a swimmer at Nevada and subsequent experience remains a key factor in her appointment.
The players
Riley Hilbrandt
New assistant swimming and diving coach at the University of Hawaii and former head coach at Illinois State.
Steve Allnutt
Head coach of the University of Hawaii swimming and diving team.
Christel Simms
The outgoing assistant coach at the University of Hawaii.
The details
Hilbrandt steps into the role previously held by Christel Simms to support head coach Steve Allnutt. She is expected to assist in the daily operations of a program that won both men's and women's titles in the Big West last season. The coaching staff will now focus on integrating these adjustments ahead of upcoming competitive meets.
Timeline
October 16, 2026: University of Hawaii announced the hiring of Hilbrandt.
October 23-24, 2026: Hawaii competes in a dual meet against Grand Canyon.
April 2026: Hilbrandt resigned from her position at Illinois State.
Health Landscape
The program is adapting its coaching structure as it begins competition within the Mountain West Conference. This strategic shift follows a period of dominance in the Big West and seeks to maintain high-level performance metrics.
Fans and athletes following the program should note the coaching change as the team enters its new conference schedule. Any specific impacts on training methodologies or athlete development are best discussed directly with the coaching staff during scheduled meet events.
The takeaway
The program enters a new chapter with the arrival of a seasoned coach as they begin their first season in the Mountain West Conference. Follow the team's progress through the upcoming meet schedule to track how these personnel changes influence overall performance.
What happens next
The University of Hawaii swimming and diving team faces Grand Canyon in a dual meet on October 23 and 24, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest updates in our Swimming section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SwimSwam.
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