Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Matt Dickinson
Email: mdickinson@lincolncollege.edu
Cell Phone: (607) 329-7044
Coach Dickinson has been on the coaching staff since 2007, and was the first hire for former head coach, Jake Sexton. “Even though Matt isn’t an alum of Lincoln, his passion for Lincoln College is evident in his coaching and appreciation for his athletes. Matt is probably one of the most loyal and committed coaches I have ever worked with, and has done an amazing job bringing our Diving program to the next level, “ boasts coach Sexton.
In his 5th year as the Diving Coach, Matt Dickinson has produced some of the most elite divers ever to attend Lincoln College. “Lincoln has a long history of producing National Champions in Diving, and has raised the bar pretty high for any coach that comes here. Matt has responded to that challenge, and has delivered,” adds Coach Sexton. Coach Dickinson was the 2010 and 2011 NJCAA Diving Coach of the Year, and coached the first ever 4-time National Champion for Lincoln College, Tyler Clingerman.
Along with coaching National Champions, Coach Dickinson has coached 20 All-Americans, and his divers have set 6 Team and Pool records at multiple facilities. Lincoln College Divers have also maintained a 3.32 GPA under Coach Dickinson.
Prior to coming to Lincoln, Matt was a 4-year competitor at the NCAA Division 1 level, competing for St. Bonaventure University. Matt was also part of the 2006 Atlantic-10 Championship Team, and has coached at the prestigious Penn State University Diving Camp.
Matt holds a Bachelors of Science in Sociology from St. Bonaventure, and is currently pursuing his Graduate Degree in Sports Management. Coach Dickinson is also the Diving Representative for the NJCAA Swimming & Diving Coaches Association.
Assistant Coach: Brian Spittler
In 2011-2012, the swimming and diving team added a familiar face to the pool deck, with the return of 2009 2-time NJCAA National Champion Brian Spittler. Brian returns to Lincoln after completing a stellar career for The Lynx.
Spittler competed for Lincoln for 2008-2009, where he swam under 2009 and 2011 NJCAA Coach of the Year Jake Sexton. While at Lincoln, Brian was a 2-time NJCAA National Champion in the 200IM and 100 Fly. Brian also holds individual records for The Lynx in the 200IM, 100 Fly, and 100 Freestyle events.
When asked why he wanted to return to Lincoln, Brian responded, “I came back because, this was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. This is a great chance for me to give back to a college and program that did so much for my own college career. While at Lincoln, I hope to leave a lasting impression on the athletes and the institution, using my knowledge and experience to help others succeed.”
Coach Spittler has NCAA Division 1 experience, competing at Penn State University. Brian has also trained and competed with Olympians, multiple National Champions, and Olympic Trial Qualifiers. Brian swam for Woodstock High School (Woodstock, IL), where he represented them at the IHSA State meet and holds almost every high school swimming record. Brian also spent several years training under Olympic Gold Medalist and Head Coach for Stanford University, Lea Maurer.
Brian currently resides in Bloomington, IL, where he spends his off days with his dog, Diesel.