Rachel Swartz is in her second season at the helm of the D&E women's basketball program in 2021-22.
Swartz concluded her first season in 2020-21, earning her first career head coaching victory against Concord on January 16, 2021. She has worked extensively in the areas of social media management, recruiting, academic excellence and all other facets of the program since her arrival.
Swartz coached senior standout Jamiyah Johnson, who earned All-MEC Second Team honors in 2020-21 after cracking the 1,000-career point milestone.
Swartz arrived in Elkins after working with Everett Community College as an assistant coach. Previously serving in various basketball capacities at the NJCAA, NCAA DI, II and III levels, Swartz becomes the ninth head coach in the program’s history.
Swartz helped ECC to a 15-15 mark last season, one of the best seasons of the past decade, working with head coach Chet Hovade. She worked in all game day and travel operations, scouting, player development and recruiting during her time with the Trojans.
Prior to her time at Everett Community College, Swartz worked with head coach Michelle Ferenz at Whitman College, primarily working in camp development operations, equipment inventory, player development and student-athlete recruiting.
Swartz concluded a four-year collegiate playing career at Missouri State University, an NCAA DI member of the Missouri Valley Conference. Playing under head coach Kellie Harper, helped the Lady Bears to a conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016. MSU maintained a high level of success throughout her playing career, earning two trips to the WNIT Tournament.
Swartz began her coaching career at East Tennessee State as a graduate assistant, helping the Bucs advance to the WNIT in 2017-18. She went on to become a graduate assistant at Drury University, working with head coach Molly Miller. Assisting in all facets of the program, Swartz helped guide the program to a stellar 35-1 season in 2018-19. The Panthers won their third consecutive Great Lakes Valley Conference crown that season, pushing their undefeated record to 31-0 at the time, before later advancing to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.
Swartz, a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), graduated from Missouri State in 2016 with a degree in communications before earning her masters from Drury in July 2019. She ranks 12th in Missouri State history with 124 games played and minored in political science and sociology during her undergraduate career.
