Matthew McKenney was named the new men's and women's swimming head coach in April of 2026.
McKenney served on American University's coaching staff for the past five years most recently promoted to associate head swim coach in the summer of 2025. He spent his time primarily coaching the mid-distance and distance swimmers on the squad while leading the team's recruiting efforts.
The program's newest head coach provides almost 25 years of competitive swimming and coaching experience and has spent time coaching the youth in the DMV. Working alongside the head coach for the Eagles, McKenney has helped oversee huge gains in the program in roster numbers, competitive success, and continued excellence in the classroom. The Eagles' most recent standout graduate, Mimi Watts, earned 12 Patriot League medals including nine golds. In the classroom, both squads earned CSCAA Scholar All-America recognition for a 63rd straight semester in the fall of 2026.
McKenney earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 2016 from Towson in communication studies and is a Level 2 American Swimming Coaches Association coach. As a Tiger, he was a two-time 200-yard butterfly champion in the Colonial Athletic Association. He was a two-time team captain at Towson and was named Men's Swimmer of the Year three times. McKenney earned four top-eight finishes at CAA Championships, getting both a second and third-place finish in the 500 freestyle in addition to his two championships in the 200 butterfly.
