Bio

Coach Sion Brinn enters his eleventh season with the Indian River State College swimming and diving programs after successfully leading both teams to the past ten NJCAA National Championship titles.

During the 2022-2023 season, the swimming and diving teams broke a total of 7 national records and 8 school records.

Success in the pool is not the only area of importance to Brinn in his leadership role. IRSC men’s and women’s 2022-2023 swimming and diving programs were named NJCAA Academic All-Americans. As a Head Coach, he has a clear understanding of what it takes to balance training and coursework to achieve success in all aspects of life as a college swimmer or diver.

Brinn brings a unique perspective to Indian River’s program as he was part of its history having been on the team in 1991-1993. As an athlete at “THE RIVER”, Brinn knows first-hand what it takes to earn a National Title. He is able to relate to the sacrifices made each day and can relate to the time and dedication each athlete must put in to assure the streak of championships at Indian River continues.

Prior to joining IRSC, coach Brinn was with the Wright State University swimming and diving program in Dayton, Ohio where his career began in 2000 as an assistant coach and saw him elevated to Head Coach of the program in July of 2005. During his tenure with the Raiders, Brinn’s teams won a total of nine Horizon League Championships and he was recognized by his peers as the Coach of the Year in the league during the 2006, 2007 and 2008 championships.

Brinn brings a wealth of knowledge in the sport and a storied athletic career to the position. His resume as an athlete includes two Olympic Games (Sydney 2000 and Atlanta 1996), four World Short Course Championships (Athens 2000, Hong Kong 1999, Gothenburg, Sweden 1997 and Rio 1995), and he traveled the world on the FINA World Cup Tour 1996 and 1997. Brinn was a 14-time NJCAA All-American, was the 1993 NJCAA Swimmer of the Year, was the NJCAA National Record Holder in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle events, and was inducted into the NJCAA Swimming & Diving Hall of Fame in 2004. As a swimmer at the NCAA Division 1 level, Brinn competed for Louisiana State University and finished as high as 7th in the 100 Free at the 1995 NCAA championships, earning All-American honors.

Coach Brinn, is married to his wife Melissa, and the couple have three daughters, Emerson (15), Avalie (14), and Talis (10).