Former SMU standout swimmer Caleb Rhodenbaugh has joined the SMU staff as an assistant coach in July of 2024.
In Rhodenbaugh's second year on the Hilltop as a coach, the SMU Swimming program had a record-breaking season. In 2025-26, the Mustangs broke eight school records along with 38 new additions to SMU's All-Time Top Performers List. The team secured 14 NCAA Standards as well, including three relays. With help from Rhodenbaugh, five swimmers earned Second-Team All-America Status: Jack Berube (200 Back), Jack Forrest (800 Free Relay), Harold Lockhart (800 Free Relay), Francis Brennan (800 Free Relay) and Sage Sungail (800 Free Relay).
Excelling in more than just the pool, the team saw seven members get named to the All-ACC Academic Team. Furthermore, four Mustangs earned a spot on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.
During Rhodenbaugh's first season as an assistant coach in 2024-25, the Mustangs embarked on their first season as a member of the ACC. During the season, SMU worked on rewriting the record books, posting 33 new Top-10 times along with new school records in the 100 & 200 back and the 200 free relay, 800 free relay, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay. The Mustangs also reached NCAA standards in four different relays, competing in three at the NCAA Championships.
The accomplishments weren't just limited to the pool, as 16 Mustangs landed on the All-ACC Academic Team following the season. In addition, four different SMU swimmers earned CSC Academic All-District honors, while Eric Stelmar picked up CSC Third Team Academic All-America accolades.Â
Rhodenbaugh rejoined the Mustangs after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Drury, helping the men’s program to back-to-back NCAA-II runner-up finishes and a Great Lakes Conference Championship for both the men and the women in 2023. In addition, he assisted in the coaching multiple national champions on both the men’s and women’s side.
During his time as a swimmer with the Mustangs, he set program records in the 100 and 200 breast and won eight AAC Championships. Rhodenbaugh was a three-time NCAA Championships qualifier, named all-conference in 11 events and was the 2022 Most Outstanding Swimmer in the AAC. He also posted a US Olympic Trial cut in 2021.
His senior year he won Most Valuable Male Student Athlete for SMU Athletics at the Pony Awards.
Rhodenbaugh is the son of men’s swimming & diving head coach, Greg Rhodenbaugh, who was also a standout swimmer for the Mustangs.
