James Washbish enters his third season as an assistant coach for the West Virginia University swimming and diving program after joining the staff in September 2023.
In his role at WVU, Washbish oversees distance freestyle swimmers while assisting in all recruiting efforts.
Prior to West Virginia
He comes to WVU with eight years of college coaching experience with stops at Kentucky and Ohio. Washbish recently served as the assistant swim coach for the Bobcats from 2021-23. In this role, he primarily coached the distance and middle-distance freestyle swimmers, created and organized recruiting visits and helped lead fundraising for the program.
Prior to Ohio, Washbish was the head swim coach at Lafayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky. Washbish led the women's team to a third-place finish at the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) state meet in 2021.
Washbish also spent four years at Kentucky as a volunteer assistant coach from 2015-19. In this position, he helped with team management, administrative procedures and other team needs.
Washbish earned a B.S. in community and leadership development at Kentucky.
He currently resides in Morgantown with his wife, Kathryn.
