Bio

A former Division I swimmer at Ball State University (1983), Brian Sharar brings more than four decades of experience, leadership, and passion for the sport of swimming to Clovis Community College. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to teaching, coaching, and developing young people both in and out of the water.

Brian’s coaching journey began after earning his teaching degree in Industrial Arts, when he accepted an assistant coaching position at Danville High School in Danville, Indiana. What began as an opportunity to stay connected to the sport quickly became a calling.

“I never envisioned the journey I was embarking upon,” Brian says. “With a wonderfully supportive wife, Nancy—39 years and counting—I have been incredibly blessed.”

That journey has included coaching at virtually every level of the sport. Brian went on to serve as Head Coach at Pike Central High School in Petersburg, Indiana, before moving into collegiate coaching as a Graduate Assistant at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill. While at UNC, he earned his Master’s Degree in Human Performance and further developed his coaching philosophy under one of the nation’s most respected swimming programs.

Brian’s collegiate coaching career continued with head coaching stops at Western Illinois University and later the University of Toledo, where he served as Head Men’s and Women’s Coach. He also returned to UNC–Chapel Hill as Head Assistant Coach, further strengthening his expertise in high-performance training, athlete development, and program leadership.

In addition to his collegiate experience, Brian has made a lasting impact at the high school level. He served as Head Coach at Clovis East High School, building competitive programs and mentoring countless student-athletes over the years. Most recently, he led the men’s and women’s programs at Fresno Pacific University as Head Coach, continuing his commitment to excellence and athlete-centered coaching.

Brian will retire from teaching with Clovis Unified School District in 2025 after 22 years public education service, content to step away from the classroom. However, stepping away from coaching proved far more difficult.

“Coaching is too hard to leave,” Brian admits. “I truly believe that my last day on Earth will be on the pool deck. My passion for the sport has never waned.”

That passion ultimately led him to commit to assisting at Clovis Community College, where he continues to share his knowledge, experience, and love for the sport with a new generation of swimmers.

Brian and Nancy are the proud parents of three grown children—Jacob, Courtney, and Kendal—and are eagerly anticipating becoming grandparents for the first time in May 2025 (Courtney and Alex).

Outside of coaching, Brian enjoys golfing, working out, and staying active, but family remains at the center of his life. Whether on the pool deck or at home, he values relationships, integrity, and the opportunity to positively influence others.

Throughout his career, Brian has lived by the same guiding mantra, a reflection of both his coaching philosophy and his approach to life:

To laugh often and much: to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson