Leslie Whittemore back at helm of Redlands swim program

A familiar face is back at the helm of the University of Redlands swimming program as Leslie Whittemore has returned to head the men’s and women’s programs.

Whittemore first became the Bulldogs coach in 1996. While under her direction, the men’s program won seven SCIAC titles, the women’s program captured three SCIAC titles, and neither team ever finished lower than third place in the final conference standings. Her combined SCIAC dual-meet record over her first 14 seasons was 151–26.

Whittemore resigned in 2010, citing the desire to spend more time with her family which included two small children. They are now 6 and 9.

Whittemore’s husband Tom had been coaching both water polo teams when his wife resigned. Now he’s coaching just one.

“A lot has changed,” Leslie said, “The kids are older so they’re in school andTom is coaching only one sport so he is a little more flexible. It’s more manageable now. I’m excited about coming back and getting started again.”

Whittemore steps after Trevor Harp directed the program the five years she was away. Harp, one of her former swimmers at Redlands, resigned to accepted a teaching position in Riverside County.

Whittemore said she never really entertained the thought of coming back and didn’t know Harp planned on stepping down. But when he did she was ready to jump back in.

“I would have regretted not getting back in when I had the chance if I didn’t,” she said.

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