NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA NAMES MATTHEW GILBERT AS INAUGURAL HEAD SWIMMING COACH

SARASOTA, FL — New College of Florida is proud to announce the hiring of Matthew Gilbert as the inaugural Head Coach of its newly established men's and women's swimming programs. Gilbert, formerly the Head Coach at Midland University in Nebraska, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of building successful collegiate programs.

Gilbert expressed his excitement about joining New College and competing in The Sun Conference, widely recognized as the best swimming conference in the NAIA.

"I couldn't be more excited to move to Florida and lead this program from day one," said Gilbert. "With Sarasota's rich swimming culture and the incredible support from New College, we have everything in place to compete at a championship level. I look forward to developing student-athletes who will excel both in the pool and in the classroom."

Vice President of Athletics Mariano Jimenez emphasized how the launch of the swimming program aligns with the department's long-term vision.

"Bringing collegiate swimming to Sarasota is a natural fit," said Jimenez. "We are in one of the best swimming communities in the country, and we plan on winning at a high level—both in and out of the pool. With Coach Gilbert at the helm, I have no doubt we will establish a strong foundation for success."

The addition of the swimming program marks another milestone in New College's commitment to enhancing student life and growing its athletic offerings.

"This is another step toward our ultimate goal—becoming the premier liberal arts college in the country," added Jimenez. "Athletics play a key role in attracting top students, and we are excited to see our swim program thrive."

The Mighty Banyans will begin competition in the 2025-26 season. In the coming weeks, more details regarding recruitment, training facilities, and scheduling will be announced.