OXFORD, Ohio – Miami University Director of Athletics David Sayler has announced Samantha Pitter as the next head coach of Miami Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving.
Pitter arrives in Oxford after serving the past two years as an associate head coach at the University of Pittsburgh. She brings 16 years of collegiate coaching experience with her.
"I am beyond excited for this opportunity. I want to thank Jennie Gilbert and David Sayler for their commitment to finding a great leader for the Miami Swimming & Diving programs. The history and tradition of excellence in the athletics department is evident, and the Swimming & Diving program has a strong foundation of success," said Pitter. "The amazing balance of high-level academics and championship-level athletic programs will continue to draw in outstanding student-athletes. I look forward to leading Miami forward and reaching new heights! Go RedHawks!"
From 2022-24, Pitter helped lead the Panthers to break 39 program records, with 25 student-athletes qualifying for the NCAA Championships. In 2023, she assisted the men's program to its most NCAA qualifiers at any point in the school's history. In 2023 and 2024, the men achieved their highest-ever finish in the ACC (seventh each year). From 2023 to 2024, the women's program improved their score by 100 points at the ACC Championships. Most recently, she helped lead the Pitt men to their second-highest NCAA finish ever. She also helped improve the team's GPA to its highest mark in nine years.
Before coaching at Pittsburgh, Pitter spent eight seasons at Harvard on the coaching staff, including four years as the Associate Head Coach for the men's swimming program. Pitter helped lead Harvard to two consecutive top-15 finishes at the NCAA Championships and five consecutive Ivy League Championships. She also secured three top-25 finishes at the NCAA Championships and won an Ivy League Championship in her first year. During her tenure, the Crimson set over 60 school records. Harvard had four recruiting classes that finished in the top 25 nationally. In total, Pitter's efforts led to 24 NCAA qualifiers, eight NCAA All-Americans, two top-eight relays, seven top-16 relays and two NCAA event titles. On the academic side, Harvard maintained a team GPA in the top two of all Division I swimming & diving teams each semester she coached.
Pitter was the lead coach of Dean Farris, one of Harvard's most accomplished swimmers in the school's history. Under Pitter's guidance, Farris finished his career as a two-time NCAA champion and American record holder while earning 23 All-American accolades.
Prior to Harvard, Pitter spent five years at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), including four years as an assistant and one year as acting head coach in 2012-13. During her time with the Engineers, she aided each program to three consecutive NEWMAC Championships. Pitter also helped the MIT men to four straight top-10 finishes at the NCAA Division III Championships. She coached MIT's first-ever Olympic Trials qualifier to a 21st-place finish in the 50 freestyle in 2012. In the 2012-13 season, she guided the Engineers to their best NCAA finishes: third place for the men and eighth place for the women. In that same season, the women broke 12 school records, and the men rewrote 21 of 24 school records, which included three NCAA event titles and one NCAA record. Pitter was named NEWMAC Women's Coach of the Year for her team's performance at the NEWMAC Championships.
She also has experience coaching at the national level as a three-time USA National Team coach. Pitter will serve as an Assistant Olympic Coach for Cape Verde at the Paris Games in 2024.
"We are delighted to bring Samantha Pitter to Miami to lead our men's & women's swimming & diving programs," said sport administrator Jennie Gilbert. "Her strategic approach to team dynamics, her coaching philosophy, communication style and her values will help ensure the success of and support for our student-athletes, both in and out of the water."
Pitter earned a double-major Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Communication at Hamilton College in 2007. There, she was a four-time All-America sprinter, school record holder, team captain and NESCAC All-Academic recipient. She later earned a Masters of Education in Physical Education Specializing in Coaching from Boston University in 2011.
