WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – William & Mary Director of Athletics Samantha K. Huge announced today a five-year contract extension for head women's basketball coach Ed Swanson.
 
"I am committed to seeing our women's basketball team compete for championships," stated Huge.  "It all starts with having outstanding leadership, and Ed has established a strong foundation for our program.  We share a common vision for the program moving forward and I am excited for what is to come."
 
Swanson has led the resurgence of the Tribe women's basketball program entering his fifth season at the helm. W&M has won 58 games over the past five seasons, including a program-record 20 wins in 2016-17.  Furthermore, Swanson guided the Green and Gold to its first CAA Tournament win since 2009, and the team's first CAA Semifinal appearance since 2001.  For his efforts, he was named the Virginia Sports Information Directors State Coach of the Year.
 
"I want to thank our Director of Athletics Samantha Huge and President Reveley for their faith in me in continuing to lead this program," Swanson said. "I am excited about the commitment the University has made both to myself and to our program.  I'm looking forward to working with Samantha and continuing the process of building our women's basketball team into one of the best in the CAA.  My family and I love Williamsburg and look forward to remaining a part of this great community for a long time to come."
 
In the two seasons prior to last year, Swanson helped the Tribe to back-to-back 15 win seasons, tied for the fourth most in school history. In 2014-15, the Tribe was rewarded with a berth in the Women's Basketball Invitational, the program's first Division I postseason appearance.
 
During his tenure, seven players have earned 24 All-CAA postseason honors, including Marlena Tremba, CAA Rookie of the Year in 2013-14.  Tremba and Alexandra Masaquel became the 17th and 18th players in school history to score more than 1,000 career points.
 
Swanson's teams are known for their pressure defense, having led the conference in steals in each year since he arrived in Williamsburg, including ranking in the Top-10 nationally during the 2013-14 season.  Over his tenure with the Tribe, his teams or players have set 21 school records.
 
Over the past four years, Swanson's student athletes raised the team GPA to 3.19 at the conclusion of last school year and the students have earned eight individual CAA All-Academic honors.  Every one of his four-year players has earned her degree from William & Mary.  Additionally, four of his players – Kaitlyn Mathieu, Jazmen Boone, Mackenzie Morrison, and Alexandra Masaquel – have gone on to sign contracts to play overseas.
 
Swanson became the fifth Division I head women's basketball coach in William & Mary history on May 7, 2013.  Prior to coming to Williamsburg, he spent 23 years transforming Sacred Heart University from a Division II program into a one of the top teams in the Northeast Conference. Swanson owns a career record of 464-327 (.587) and ranks 40th among active Division I head coaches in victories.
 
The Tribe open the regular season at Howard at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11.