Brendon Bray’s connection to Northern Nevada spans decades, beginning with a decorated athletic career at Reno High School and continuing through his current role as head coach of the Wolf Pack swimming and diving program – a position he’s held since July 2016.
A Return to Roots
Bray, a three-time state champion swimmer at Reno High, expressed the significance of leading the program in his hometown. “It’s really special to me,” he said. “Growing up in the community, it’s not just about being a part of the program you grew up in, I’m trying to do a lot of things that I think could have been part of this program that I was looking for as a youth.”
A Circuitous Path to Coaching
Bray’s own collegiate swimming career was complicated by the University of Nevada, Reno not sponsoring a men’s swim and dive program at the time. He initially committed to the University of Washington, but the program was discontinued before he could compete there. He then spent a year at the University of Utah before transferring back to Washington after the Huskies reinstated their program, where he completed his final three seasons.
Building a Coaching Resume
Bray began his coaching career in Seattle, serving as an undergraduate assistant from 2004-2005 and later as a men’s and women’s assistant head coach from 2005-2007. He then moved to San Diego State University as an assistant coach for six seasons, contributing to the Aztecs’ rise as a regional powerhouse. Bray credits his time at SDSU with instilling in him “the type of culture that leads to elite performance and championship mindset.”
Before returning to Nevada, Bray served as head coach of the North Texas women’s swim and dive program for a few seasons.
Recent Success and Future Aspirations
Under Bray’s leadership, the Wolf Pack has consistently performed well at the Mountain West Championship, finishing in the top three six times in the last nine seasons. While the team hasn’t secured a top-three finish at the conference championship in the last three seasons, they finished second in the Mountain West every year from 2019-2022 and appear poised to contend for the league title next month.
Bray expressed his competitive drive, stating, “I’m very competitive. I want to win. I want badly for us to experience what it’s like to win a Mountain West championship and be in the Top 25.” He also emphasized the importance of building a program deeply rooted in the community, stating that this is “something that lasts beyond my time.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brendon Bray’s history with the University of Nevada, Reno?
Bray is a Reno High School graduate and has been the head coach of the Wolf Pack swimming and diving program since July 2016.
Did Bray swim collegiately at Nevada?
No, Bray did not swim at Nevada because the university did not sponsor a men’s swim and dive program at the time he was seeking to compete in college.
What has been the recent performance of the Nevada swim and dive team under Bray’s leadership?
The team has finished in the top three at the Mountain West Championship six times in the last nine seasons, and finished second in the conference from 2019-2022. They have not finished in the top three in the last three seasons, but are considered contenders for the title next month.
What role does community involvement play in Coach Bray’s vision for the Wolf Pack swim and dive program?
