LA MIRADA, Calif. --- As the end of his 12^th season at the helm of Biola's Swim & Dive program drew near Head Coach Eddie Shepard pulled his team together at Lansing Pool and informed them that 2015-16 would indeed be his final season as the head coach.
 
Shepard is stepping away from his role as the school's head swim coach to assume new responsibilities as a full-time administrator with the title Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations.
 
"Eddie Shepard has been a long time valued member of Biola Athletics with many contributions to the university," said Director of Athletics Dr. Bethany Miller. "His history of excellence in coaching, teaching, and administration all make him a perfect fit for this role."
 
He will work directly with Miller to handle the day-to-day operations of the athletic department and help lead the department seamlessly into the future. Budget management, supervision responsibilities and student-athlete exit interviews will be among his new and expanded administrative duties.
 
"I am thankful for Eddie's capacity to lead, strong work ethic, and strategic thinking ability that will be a great asset to Biola University and our department," said Miller.
 
Stepping away from coaching was a difficult decision for Shepard, who has been involved with Biola Swim & Dive since he began his career as a swimmer here back in 2002-03.
 
He's taken his program to the NAIA National Championship meet in all of his 12 years as head coach, with the last three seasons being his most successful yet. He's coached his student-athletes to many NAIA All-American honors, NAIA National Championships and two NAIA Female Swimmer of the Year awards.
 
Under his watch the program grew from 20 student-athletes to a roster of nearly 40 student-athletes year in and year out. Every single one of the current school records have been set since he first took over head coaching responsibilities immediately after his time as a student-athlete was over.
 
"This was a really hard decision for me. This program has been a large part of my life for the past 13 years," said Shepard. "I am really going to miss the personal relationships I've developed with the student-athletes. I am also excited though about the opportunities this new position brings and I look forward to getting more involved with the many different aspects of our athletic department."
 
Shepard will begin his new duties immediately with the official title change coming later this summer. He will continue to manage the swim & dive program until the new full-time head coach begins duties. A national search for a new coach to lead the Biola Swimming & Diving program is now underway. The job is posted at https://biola.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=453.