Army West Point Athletics
Brian Nelson Welcomed to Swimming & Diving Staff as Director of Operations & Assistant Coach
September 25, 2026 | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point Director of Swimming and Diving Scott Thacker has announced the addition of Brian Nelson to the program's staff as the Director of Operations and as an assistant coach.
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Nelson joins West Point after spending the past year with YMCA of the Triangle Area (YOTA), where he served as site director of swimming. Prior to his time with YOTA, Nelson spent three years with the Naval Academy Aquatic Club, including time as an assistant head coach.
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Throughout his coaching career, Nelson has worked with athletes at every level of the sport, from developmental and age-group swimmers to athletes competing at Futures, Junior Nationals, Senior Nationals and the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
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During his three years with the Naval Academy Aquatic Club, swimmers coached by Nelson broke 36 club records, along with numerous individual and relay state meet records. During his time with YOTA, he helped coach a swimmer to a new club record.
"I take a lot of pride in leaving programs better than I found them and helping athletes reach levels they may not have thought were possible," said Nelson.
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Nelson's background outside of swimming has also shaped his approach to coaching. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, he worked in fine-dining restaurants before transitioning into education, where he taught culinary arts, nutrition and physical education. "I've always viewed coaching as teaching, and I really enjoy building relationships with athletes, developing the technical side of their swimming, and finding different ways to help each athlete improve."
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"I'm incredibly excited to join the Army West Point Swimming & Diving staff and become part of a program with such a rich tradition of excellence" said Nelson. "I'm very grateful to Scott Thacker for giving me this opportunity and trusting me to be part of his staff and I'm looking forward to building relationships with our cadet-athletes, helping them pursue their goals in and out of the pool, and doing everything I can to contribute to the continued success of Army Swimming & Diving. Go Army!"
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Director of Army Swimming & Diving Scott Thacker said, "Brian is the exact caliber of person and professional we want in our program. In a dual role that demands organizational precision and hands-on deck coaching, Brian excels at both. He elevates our daily training environment, brings exceptional energy to our staff, and will have an immediate impact on the day-to-day experience and growth of our cadet-athletes."
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Follow the Black KnightsÂ
Follow Army Swimming and Diving on X @armywp_swimdive and on Instagram @armywp_swimdive Fans can also like Army West Point Athletics on Facebook and learn more about swimming and diving and other programs at goarmywestpoint.com.
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Army West Point Athletic Association, Inc. (AWPAA)
AWPAA is an IRS code 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation established to execute the United States Military Academy's intercollegiate athletics program. AWPAA is led by a board of directors that provides guidance to the director of athletics, who serves as the primary advisor to the USMA Superintendent and the USMA leadership on all NCAA operations. The AWPAA mission is to recruit, educate, train and inspire leaders of character who are committed to the Army values through an extraordinary Division I athletic experience. Â
—www.goarmywestpoint.com—
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Nelson joins West Point after spending the past year with YMCA of the Triangle Area (YOTA), where he served as site director of swimming. Prior to his time with YOTA, Nelson spent three years with the Naval Academy Aquatic Club, including time as an assistant head coach.
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Throughout his coaching career, Nelson has worked with athletes at every level of the sport, from developmental and age-group swimmers to athletes competing at Futures, Junior Nationals, Senior Nationals and the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
Â
During his three years with the Naval Academy Aquatic Club, swimmers coached by Nelson broke 36 club records, along with numerous individual and relay state meet records. During his time with YOTA, he helped coach a swimmer to a new club record.
"I take a lot of pride in leaving programs better than I found them and helping athletes reach levels they may not have thought were possible," said Nelson.
Â
Nelson's background outside of swimming has also shaped his approach to coaching. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, he worked in fine-dining restaurants before transitioning into education, where he taught culinary arts, nutrition and physical education. "I've always viewed coaching as teaching, and I really enjoy building relationships with athletes, developing the technical side of their swimming, and finding different ways to help each athlete improve."
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"I'm incredibly excited to join the Army West Point Swimming & Diving staff and become part of a program with such a rich tradition of excellence" said Nelson. "I'm very grateful to Scott Thacker for giving me this opportunity and trusting me to be part of his staff and I'm looking forward to building relationships with our cadet-athletes, helping them pursue their goals in and out of the pool, and doing everything I can to contribute to the continued success of Army Swimming & Diving. Go Army!"
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Director of Army Swimming & Diving Scott Thacker said, "Brian is the exact caliber of person and professional we want in our program. In a dual role that demands organizational precision and hands-on deck coaching, Brian excels at both. He elevates our daily training environment, brings exceptional energy to our staff, and will have an immediate impact on the day-to-day experience and growth of our cadet-athletes."
Â
Follow the Black KnightsÂ
Follow Army Swimming and Diving on X @armywp_swimdive and on Instagram @armywp_swimdive Fans can also like Army West Point Athletics on Facebook and learn more about swimming and diving and other programs at goarmywestpoint.com.
Â
Army West Point Athletic Association, Inc. (AWPAA)
AWPAA is an IRS code 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation established to execute the United States Military Academy's intercollegiate athletics program. AWPAA is led by a board of directors that provides guidance to the director of athletics, who serves as the primary advisor to the USMA Superintendent and the USMA leadership on all NCAA operations. The AWPAA mission is to recruit, educate, train and inspire leaders of character who are committed to the Army values through an extraordinary Division I athletic experience. Â
—www.goarmywestpoint.com—
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