Eddie Shepard began his Biola staff experience by serving two extended stints as the head coach of the Biola Swimming and Diving Program. Shepard, who swam two years for Biola, coached for seven years before taking a one-year sabbatical before returning to the position for five more years between 2011-2016.
After taking time to thoughtfully and prayerfully consider a shift in responsibilities, Shepard accepted the position of Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations beginning summer 2016 and stepped away from coaching. He was elevated to Sr. Associate Athletic Director in 2024.
The move made Shepard and full-time administrator. Some of his expanded administrative responsibilities include managing the department's budget and facilities, directly supervising over two-thirds of the coaching staff and conducting exit interviews and check-ups with the department's 300+ student-athletes.
His swim coaching career ended on a high note as in 2015-16 he led the team to heights it had not experienced previously. The 2015-16 women's team placed fourth overall at the NAIA National Championship meet, which set a new program-best. He also coached the program's first ever national champion diver, Shane Brinson, as the men's team finished 12th in the nation. Some of the accolades of the 2015-16 team include five individual national champions, 18 All-American honors and a plethora of new school records.
2014-15 was another successful year under Shepard's guidance. He took 25 swimmers and one diver to theÂ
NAIA Swimming and Diving Championships, where the team broke 17 school records and posted a combined 20 NAIA All-American honors. Both teams finished inside the top-10, with the women finishing seventh and the men placing 10th.
The meet was historic as one of his swimmers, Christine Tixier, won her second NAIA Female Swimmer of the Year honor and broke three national records to win three individual national championships.
In the 2013-14 season he led a contingent of 20 swimmers and divers to nationals. The women's squad placed seventh for the second consecutive season, tying the program-best overall finish. The men's side got some solid swims to finish 11th overall.
Shepard coached Tixier to three individual national championships and her first NAIA national swimmer of the year award. She was a part of Shepard's group that posted 14 school records at the meet.
Shepard also served as the President of the NAIA Swimming and Diving Coaches Association again in 2013-14.
Shepard was an NAIA All-American on the Biola swim team for one season before taking over as the fourth coach in the program’s history. Under his direction, the Eagles have reached the NAIA Championships in each of the last seven years. The men’s team placed in the top 10 at nationals in each of his seven seasons at the helm while the women placed in the top 10 in six of those seven years.
As a swimmer, Shepard twice earned All-America honors, placing third in the 100 and 200 backstroke at the NAIA Championships.Â
Shepard, who also served as the President of the NAIA Swimming and Diving Coaches Association in 2008-09, coached the first NAIA Champion in the program’s history as April Smith won the 200 breaststroke title at the 2010 Championships.
Shepard, who completed his Master’s of Theology degree at Biola in 2010, spent the last year in Washington State while his wife and assistant swim coach Elisa earned a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
Shepard resides in La Mirada, California with his wife Elisa, son Mason and daughter Penny.
