Shawn Jones, Ed.D. named new head coach of Crush Swim & Dive teams

Clovis Community College Director of Athletics James Sewell has announced the hiring of Shawn Jones, Ed.D. as the new head coach for the Crush swim & dive program.

"We are absolutely delighted to welcome Coach Jones as the new leader of the Crush men's and women's swim & dive programs," Sewell said. "Swim & dive is in her blood, and her family has a long tradition of coaching excellence here in the Valley. Beyond just her on-deck expertise, Coach Jones is a highly respected member of the local swim & dive community and already has years-long relationships with many of our community's top high school and club coaches.

"As a full-time chemistry instructor at Clovis Community College, she also has an intimate understanding of our campus culture and student-first approach, and a proven track record of academic success. I'm highly confident that Coach Jones is the right person to grow our young program to its full potential, and look forward to competing for conference and State championships while also preparing our Crush student-athletes for the next step of their academic, athletic, and personal journeys."

Jones is a long-time member of the Clovis Community College faculty, having taught chemistry at the college since 2001. From the pool deck, she brings extensive coaching experience at the youth club level.

"I am honored that Clovis Community College would select me as the head coach of swim & dive," said Jones. "I am excited to help build the aquatics program and look forward to serving our community. Becoming the head swim and dive coach will provide me with an opportunity to build relationships with our athletes and help them grow both in their athletic ability and as students at Clovis Community College."

Jones most recently coached with iCAN Junior Triathlon Club in Fresno from 2010-2017. She primarily coached swimming for youths aged 5-18 and assisted in cycling and running. She was also a board member and meet director for Clovis Swim Club from 2010-18. Jones has also coached for the Reedley Marlins and Sanger Seals swim clubs.

"I come from a family of swim coaches, being on a pool deck is my second home," said Jones. "I started swimming club at an early age. My first coaching job was at the age of 16 and my first head coach position with a recreational team was at 19. Although I do not have extensive experience coaching at the college level, I'm excited to make a difference in students' academic and athletic success."

Jones, who had served as a consultant for the athletic department during past head coach searches, will now get her opportunity to lead the program at a college she has close ties to. With spring competition set to begin in just weeks, Jones is already hard at work preparing her squads and looks forward to solidifying the program.

"We have strong aquatics programs in the Central Valley and I want to give students the opportunity to compete at a college level," Jones said. "Long-term goals will be to build an aquatics program, including both a men's and women's water polo team. I would also like to see Clovis Community College build an aquatics facility that would have the ability to host championship meets."

Jones currently resides in Clovis. She recently earned her doctor of education degree from Aspen University (Phoenix, Ariz.) in 2022. Jones is a graduate of California State University, Fresno, earning her master's and bachelor's degree in chemistry.

The 2024 Clovis Community College swim & dive season officially gets underway on Feb. 9 when the Crush are scheduled to compete at the College of the Sequoias Invite in Visalia.