DePauw loses swimming coach, aquatics director

Coach Ben Hewitt is leaving DePauw to return to Nova Southeastern, where he will be the head swimming coach.

DePauw head women's swimming and diving coach and aquatics director Ben Hewitt is resigning to become the head men's and women's swimming coach at NCAA Division II Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Hewitt served as an assistant coach at Nova Southeastern for three seasons prior to coming to DePauw.

"Ben has taken the program to a consistent top-20 level and we're sad to see him go," Stevie Baker-Watson, DePauw Associate Vice President for Campus Wellness and Theodore Katula Director of Athletics said.

"While Ben and his commitment to the overall experience of our student-athletes will be missed, we wish him the best as he takes the next step in his career."

Hewitt came to DePauw in 2013 and, in three seasons, led the Tigers to top 20 finishes at all three NCAA Division III Championships including 15th in 2014, 14th in 2015 and 19th in 2016. In that time, he coached individuals and relays to all-America or honorable mention all-America accolades 15 times. The Tigers also broke school records in 14 events during his tenure.

DePauw placed third at the North Coast Athletic Conference Championships each of those three seasons and his teams earned College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America honors all six semesters.

Hewitt led the 2015-16 Tigers to a 19th-place finish at the NCAA Division III Championships including a pair of top-four all-America swims by junior Angela Newlon. The broke school records in 10 events during the year.

The 2014-15 Tigers finished 14th at the Division III Championships for their best national showing since 2008. Newlon collected all-America honors as well as the 800 free relay.

In 2013-14, Hewitt led the Tigers to a 15th-place finish at the NCAA Division III meet. Additionally, individuals broke seven school records and four of the five DePauw relays set new school records. At the NCAA Championships, the Tigers earned one All-America and four honorable mention All-America accolades.

The departure was the school's third this week, after baseball coach Jake Martin and lacrosse coach Julie Sargent resigned earlier in the week.

DePauw will launch a national search for a new coach.