Susan Davis has been head women’s coach since 1974 and head men’s coach since 1983.  After founding the women’s swimming program at Springfield College and enjoying her collegiate swimming career, she earned a Master of Science and founded the competitive swimming program at Smith College.  For the past 28 years, Sue has been co-director of the two largest and most respected privately run clinics in the U.S. for coaches and swimmers. While on sabbatical leave in 1993, 1997, 2001, 2006, and 2010, Sue had the opportunity to visit and study the swimming programs at Arizona, Michigan, Stanford, Berkeley, Univ. of Florida, Texas, USC, ASU, Auburn, Irvine Nova Aquatics and Tennessee, as well as the U.S. Olympic training site in Colorado Springs.  Her firsthand experience with the elite coaches and swimmers in the country enables her to provide a unique training and learning opportunity for Swarthmore’s student athletes.  From 2000 to 2004, Sue was a member of the NCAA Division III National Swimming and Diving Rules and Championship Committee.

In addition to her involvement with swimming, Sue continues to compete successfully in the equestrian sport of three-day eventing, having twice trained with the U.S. Olympic Team in the 1970s.

Jessica Carbin is entering her first season as assistant coach at Swarthmore. Carbin comes to Swarthmore from La Salle University, where she holds the school-record time in the 100 and 200 backstrokes and was part of the relay teams that set the school's 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay records. 

Originally from Neptune, New Jersey, Carbin was an oceanfront lifeguard at Spring Lake Beach  and competed nationally and locally with her beach for seven years.

An assistant coach since 1997, Charlie enjoys working with the multifaceted Swarthmore student athlete. He is also head coach of Suburban Swim Center, working with swimmers of all ages including such notables as Grace Cornelius, a 1986 U.S. National Champion, and Brendan Hansen, a 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist. Charlie was the recipient of the 1999 ASCA Middle Atlantic and 2000 Speedo Middle Atlantic Age Group Coach of the year awards.

A University of Iowa alumnus, Charlie earned a B.A. with concentrations in music and Russian. While swimming for the Hawkeyes, the three-time captain and Phi Beta Kappa member set college records in five individual events and competed in every event except the 50 freestyle. An accomplished composer, arranger and performance artist, Charlie has been a professional musician since 1981.

Leisha Shaffer, a graduate in the class of 1983, has been involved with the Swarthmore Swimming program for 29 years; first as a swimmer and later as a member of the coaching staff. Shaffer swam on the College’s team for four years, twice competing at Division III Nationals. She spent two years as the full-time assistant coach before embarking on a career in the newspaper industry.  She served as interim head coach during the 1993 season.   The 2011-12 season will be her 20th consecutive season as a part-time assistant.  Shaffer brings first-hand knowledge of the challenges Swarthmore students face in balancing academics,  athletics and other extracurricular activities and helps our swimmers achieve success in all areas.  She also does extensive research on the Conference, giving Swarthmore and its swimmers a competitive edge in dual meets and the Conference Championship.