Butcher Named Head Diving Coach for WVU Swimming and Diving
July 09, 2024 03:55 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University swimming and diving head coach Brent MacDonald has announced that Mark Butcher will join the program as the head diving coach.
"I am humbled and honored to have been chosen to represent WVU as its head diving coach," Butcher said. "I am eager to hit the ground running and build around an already outstanding program. Thank you to coach Brent MacDonald for seeing my worth and allowing me the opportunity to help build the program alongside him and the rest of the incredible incoming coaching staff."
Butcher has spent most of his career serving as the head diving coach at San Jose State from 2010-18 and from 2021-24.
During his tenure, San Jose State divers broke multiple program records. Butcher also coached the first Mountain West Conference medalist in program history as sophomore Jenna Jagielski finished third in the 1-meter springboard at the conference meet in 2024.
Jagielski also became the first diver from San Jose State to qualify for the Olympic Trials.
"I knew from the first conversation I had with Mark that he saw the potential in West Virginia University diving," MacDonald said. "We have a top-notch facility, and it was important that we brought in a proven coach who will know how to take advantage of it. Mark was clearly the right person for the job, and he is going to fit in well with our growing staff."
In his role as head diving coach, Butcher led all recruiting efforts and facilitated the creation of the first-ever dry-land diving training at San Jose State.
In between two stints at SJSU, Butcher was part of the senior staff for Pacific Northwest Diving in Federal Way, Washington, from 2018-19, and he served as the director for ages 14 and up at the Carolina Diving Academy in Huntersville, Texas, from 2020-21.
Before joining San Jose State, Butcher served as the program director and head coach of the Santa Clara Diving Club from 2007-11. In this role, he managed the athletic development of all athletes and served as meet director and event organizer for three USA Diving Summer Region competitions.
Butcher was the head coach and program director for Dive Oklahoma/Starz Diving from 2001-07. During his time with the program, Butcher increased athlete enrollment and managed the athletic development of the athletes.
Butcher earned a degree in English language and literature from Purdue University Northwest (formally known as Purdue University Calumet).
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUSwimDive on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
"I am humbled and honored to have been chosen to represent WVU as its head diving coach," Butcher said. "I am eager to hit the ground running and build around an already outstanding program. Thank you to coach Brent MacDonald for seeing my worth and allowing me the opportunity to help build the program alongside him and the rest of the incredible incoming coaching staff."
Butcher has spent most of his career serving as the head diving coach at San Jose State from 2010-18 and from 2021-24.
During his tenure, San Jose State divers broke multiple program records. Butcher also coached the first Mountain West Conference medalist in program history as sophomore Jenna Jagielski finished third in the 1-meter springboard at the conference meet in 2024.
Jagielski also became the first diver from San Jose State to qualify for the Olympic Trials.
"I knew from the first conversation I had with Mark that he saw the potential in West Virginia University diving," MacDonald said. "We have a top-notch facility, and it was important that we brought in a proven coach who will know how to take advantage of it. Mark was clearly the right person for the job, and he is going to fit in well with our growing staff."
In his role as head diving coach, Butcher led all recruiting efforts and facilitated the creation of the first-ever dry-land diving training at San Jose State.
In between two stints at SJSU, Butcher was part of the senior staff for Pacific Northwest Diving in Federal Way, Washington, from 2018-19, and he served as the director for ages 14 and up at the Carolina Diving Academy in Huntersville, Texas, from 2020-21.
Before joining San Jose State, Butcher served as the program director and head coach of the Santa Clara Diving Club from 2007-11. In this role, he managed the athletic development of all athletes and served as meet director and event organizer for three USA Diving Summer Region competitions.
Butcher was the head coach and program director for Dive Oklahoma/Starz Diving from 2001-07. During his time with the program, Butcher increased athlete enrollment and managed the athletic development of the athletes.
Butcher earned a degree in English language and literature from Purdue University Northwest (formally known as Purdue University Calumet).
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUSwimDive on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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