In just his second year at the helm, UT Permian Basin Head Swimming and Diving Coach Brian Schroeder has already begun to reshape the trajectory of the program – pairing record-breaking performances in the pool with meaningful growth in the classroom. 

"I think we had a very successful season," Schroeder said. "We had a lot of new faces, very underclassman-heavy team this year and we learned a lot and grew. But I think with breaking 10 school records, that speaks for itself. Just in terms of the amount of people that we brought in and their success. You know, to break 10 school records in a single season is really big for us."  

Those 10 broken records stand as the defining achievement of the season, a clear indicator of both talent and development within a young roster. But for Schroeder, the story runs deeper than just top-end results. 

"There are a lot of highlights," said Schroeder. "We had 60 personal bests at our midseason meet and 53 personal bests at the conference championships. Across the board, from our fastest to slowest swimmers, most people were dropping time, and that is something you love to see." 

The consistent improvement across the lineup underscores a culture shift focused on development, not just results. It is a philosophy Schroeder has leaned into as he continues to find his footing in year two. 

"It is still a learning experience," he said. "We had our challenges bringing on a new assistant coach, managing recruiting, and adjusting the weight program. But we made it work, and we did it really well." 

While the men's team saw significant success – including eight of the program's 10 new records –Schroeder is particularly excited about what lies ahead for the women's side. 

"We are still building up our women's program after the last head coach left," he explained. "I'm really excited to see what our women's team will do with a full team. We had 16 to start off this last season and we will have around 20 to start off this next season. So, we will be able to take a full team to those championship meets and do a little bit better."  

That growth is part of a broader vision: steady progress in the conference standings, continued record-breaking performances, and sustained excellence outside the pool. 

"We want to get closer in terms of conference standings to the nest team on the leaderboard," Schroeder said. "It takes time, but I would like to see us move up. I would like to see us break more personal bests, break more school records and continue do as well academically, if not better." 

In the classroom, the Falcons delivered one of their stronger semesters yet, posting a 3.30 team GPA in the fall. The team also earned multiple Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) First-Team Academic All-Conference, RMAC Academic Honor Roll and College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District® Team honors – an achievement Schroeder credits to the athletes themselves. 

"I am really proud of them. We try to give them the tools to succeed, but they are learning how to be an adult and they are going out there and making sure that they do well in their classes," said Schroeder. "I'm not the one studying for them or taking tests for them or anything like that. But we definitely make it a focus point and for them to go out there and do that well in the academic side is special."  

That balance extends beyond academics and athletics into community engagement. Under Coach Schroeder's leadership, the program has made a concerted effort to connect with the West Texas community. 

"Something we started when I got here, we do a 9/11 memorial stair climb in Midland with our first responders in the area," said Schroeder. "It's a great opportunity for us to get out in the community to show our support for first responders, as well as for athletes to experience the history of 9/11. Since most of college athletes nowadays were not born when that happened." 

The Falcons also volunteered at the West Texas Food Bank and went to Balmorhea State Park in and effort to show the student-athletes what the West Texas community has to offer.  

Recruiting class looking strong 

With a strong incoming recruiting class set to address key needs – particularly on the women's side -the foundation continues to build. Schroeder believes the program's unique position as the only NCAA Division II swimming program in the state of Texas presents a major opportunity for growth. 

"We are working to make UTPB more well-known in the swimming community," he said. "Most of the student-athletes we have coming in are not from the West Texas area, so we try to show them what West Texas is. The hospitality and the style of life out here is a little different than some major metroplex, but we do have a lot to offer here." 

If year two is any indication, the combination of growth, culture, and performance is already making waves. The records may headline the season, but for Schroeder, the real success lies in something more lasting: a program learning how to win – together, in every sense of the word.