WASHINGTON – American University head swimming & diving coach Garland Bartlett has announced the hiring of Emmett Adams as the program's head assistant coach. Adams arrives at American after spending the 2025-26 season as an assistant coach at Princeton, where he helped guide the Tigers' women's team to the Ivy League Championship.
The coaching staff was recognized as the Ivy League Coaching Staff of the Year. At Princeton, Adams assisted with practice planning, recruiting visits, meet operations, and the day-to-day management of the program.
"Emmett is the perfect fit for us here at AU," said Bartlett. "His enthusiasm, energy, and experience will make him an outstanding addition to our staff. Through his own collegiate experience at Tufts and coaching last season at Princeton, he understands what it means to be an excellent student-athlete. He will bring an immediate impact to the program, and I can't wait for him to get started!"
A 2025 graduate of Tufts University, Adams earned degrees in clinical psychology and music, sound and culture, while graduating summa cum laude with a 3.83 GPA. He was a two-time NCAA Academic All-American and helped the Jumbos capture the NCAA Division III national championship.
During his decorated collegiate career, Adams was an 11-time NCAA All-American, a NESCAC record holder, a five-time school record holder, and served as team captain.
"I'm incredibly honored and excited to accept the head assistant position at American University!," said Adams. "A huge thank you to Coach Bartlett and Jocelyn Hill for creating such a welcoming atmosphere from our very first phone call. Their warmth and enthusiasm immediately made me feel at home and even more excited to become part of the AU family. I can't wait to get to work with the incredible student-athletes at American and contribute to the success of this program. Go Eagles!"
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Adams has coached swimmers of all ages and abilities through club teams and nationally recognized camps, including the Texas Longhorns Swim Camp, Navy Swim Camp, and Fairfield University Swim Camp. He has led practices, taught technique, conducted dryland workouts, and provided individualized instruction to athletes ranging from age-group swimmers to national-level competitors.
Away from the pool, Adams has demonstrated a commitment to student-athlete well-being and leadership, serving as vice president of The Hidden Opponent chapter at Tufts, promoting mental health awareness, and as a representative for Athlete Ally, supporting LGBTQ+ student-athletes.
