Jake Shrum

Head coach Jeff Poppell announced the addition of Jake Shrum to the swimming and diving staff in June 2026. Shrum joins the program as an associate head coach and will work with both the men’s and women’s programs.

Shrum comes to Columbia after spending four years at the University of Virginia, where he served as associate head coach. He helped Virginia win four consecutive NCAA Women’s National Championships and guided the Cavalier men to a top 10 finish at this year’s NCAA Men’s National Championship.

Shrum began his tenure at Virginia as an assistant coach in 2022 before being promoted to associate head coach following the 2023-24 season. He made his USA Swimming senior-level staff debut at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships (25m), serving as an assistant coach for the meet. He returned to international duty in the summer of 2025, serving as an assistant coach for Team USA at the World University Games in Berlin, Germany.

Prior to Virginia, Shrum served as the head swimming and diving coach at Towson from 2015-22.

During his seven years at Towson, he helped lead the programs to finishes near the top of the Colonial Athletic Association standings, including the men’s first-ever CAA Championship in 2021. During his tenure, Towson athletes achieved Olympic Trials cuts, earned NCAA All-America honors and included a swimmer who competed on the U.S. National Team from 2018-21.

A native of Charlottesville, Shrum began his coaching career as an assistant coach with Fairview Swim Club and the Virginia Gators. He later became the head coach at Albemarle High School. In 2013, he transitioned into collegiate coaching as a volunteer assistant at Virginia before being hired at Towson.

Shrum earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Virginia in 2008. During his time at UVA, he was a member of the Cavaliers’ swimming program. He was a four-time varsity letter winner and a member of three ACC Championship teams.