LSU and Associate Head Swim Coach Leah Stancil Officially Part Ways After Three Seasons
Louisiana State University (LSU) has officially ended its working relationship with associate head swim coach Leah Stancil after three seasons with the program. Her departure became effective on May 19, marking the end of her impactful tenure with the Tigers’ swimming and diving team.
Stancil joined LSU ahead of the 2022–2023 season, coming from Tulane University, where she had served as head coach. Her arrival at LSU coincided with head coach Rick Bishop’s second year leading the program, bringing additional experience and leadership to a coaching staff that aimed to elevate LSU’s swimming competitiveness in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and beyond.
Before joining the LSU coaching ranks, Stancil built a robust coaching résumé that spanned multiple respected programs. She spent 10 years at her alma mater, the University of Florida, where she specialized in training sprinters. Prior to that, she held coaching positions at the University of South Carolina from 2006 to 2008, SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) during the 2005–2006 season, and began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Florida in 2004–2005.
During her time at LSU, Stancil contributed to the continued development of the program alongside fellow coaches Lyle Robelot, Brogan Barr, Jon Sakovich, and diving coach Drew Livingston. The support staff also included graduate assistants Delaney Crowder and Walker Creedon, all of whom helped create a comprehensive and competitive environment for the student-athletes.
As a former athlete, Stancil—known during her competitive years as Leah Martindale—has an extraordinary legacy in the sport of swimming. She was a 12-time All-American swimmer at the University of Florida and a standout on the international stage for Barbados. Representing her home country, she broke several national records and made two Olympic appearances, competing at both the 1996 Atlanta Games and the 2000 Sydney Olympics. In Sydney, she made history by becoming the first Black woman to qualify for an Olympic final in swimming, competing in the 50-meter freestyle event.
While her coaching pedigree and athletic experience brought high expectations to LSU, the Tigers’ results during her tenure were mixed. At the 2025 SEC Championships, both the men’s and women’s teams had modest showings. The men’s team finished in 7th place, one spot lower than the previous year, while the women improved by one position to also place 7th. Nationally, the Tigers had limited success at the NCAA Championships, with the women finishing 22nd and the men coming in 19th.
Though the program showed moments of promise under her guidance, LSU appears to be moving in a new direction. No official statement has been released detailing the specific reasons for the change, but coaching adjustments are not uncommon in programs seeking to enhance their competitiveness within the rigorous SEC.
Away from the pool deck, Stancil is a mother of three. Her husband, Michael Stancil, remains at LSU in a professional capacity, working as a licensed counselor at the university. The couple has been an active part of the LSU community, balancing their professional commitments with their family life.
Leah Stancil’s departure marks the end of a notable chapter for LSU swimming. Her broad range of experience, both as a coach and Olympic-level swimmer, made her a respected figure within collegiate swimming. As LSU begins the process of reconfiguring its coaching staff, the program will look to build on her contributions while charting a course toward higher national prominence.
The university has yet to announce a replacement, but the coming months will be crucial in setting the tone for the next era of LSU swimming and diving. Meanwhile, Stancil leaves with a respected legacy and the admiration of many within the collegiate swim community.
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