ROCHESTER, N.Y. – When Sara Smith was offered her first head coaching opportunity in 2012, she immediately called Shane Logan.

When Smith, who has led the Roberts Wesleyan University Swimming and Diving program since its inception in 2017, realized that she would need someone to step in for her as head coach following the arrival of her second child, she called Logan again.

Logan, who was hired as an assistant coach at Roberts over the summer, will begin his stint as interim head coach when the Redhawks travel to the ECC Championships at the College of Staten Island on Friday and Saturday.

"Shane and I share similar coaching philosophies," Smith said. "From training volume, style, to methods, we have often worked together on our ideas. His ability to build and develop relationships is something that will only enhance our program. Beyond just training an athlete and helping them achieve athletic success, he takes the time to get to know the athlete, understand who they are, connect with them on a personal level, and develop relationships. As we continue to grow and have over 35 team members, I knew that his leadership in my absence would be just what the team needed to not just hold things together while I'm away, but to continue to see growth."

Logan, who has 18 years of coaching experience, is excited for the opportunity especially after taking seven years off to focus on his job and family responsibilities.

"I am just thankful that the sport hasn't passed me by," said Logan, who is married with three children and works as a Market Trainer and Senior Sales Consultant for Cellular Sales - Upstate NY, a Verizon retailer. "As my job has evolved, I now have a little bit more time to explore my passions. So, when Sara called with this opportunity, I talked it over with my family and received their blessing to return to coaching."

Smith and Logan have worked together in the past, including when she was an athlete and he was a coach with the Greater Rochester Racing Raiders and Rochester Rapids Swim Team. They worked together as coaches for Marlins Swimming, Inc. and Logan was an assistant coach/junior varsity coach at Spencerport High School when Smith was the varsity coach. 

Logan prides himself on being a strong technician, who develops solid race strategies and builds strong relationships with the athletes that he coaches.

He also credits his mentors, Erie Community College head coach and former Fairport High School and Clemson All-American Rick Aronberg, and the late Doug Tobey, who coached at Brighton High School and with the SEAS program at the Genesee Valley Sports Complex in Rochester with shaping his coaching philosophy. Aronberg showed him how to be "demanding but loving" and Tobey left a memorable impression because he cared so much about the athletes who competed for him.

"My mentors gave me a practice system that acclimates to the personal goals of the swimmers in the pool," Logan said.

That system aligns with what Smith has been doing at Roberts.

"All of our student-athletes are swimming based on their speed," Logan said. "It is not a cookie-cutter system, it is based on all of the individual needs of the swimmer, including training and rest. It is about doing the right thing every time."

Logan is anticipating a strong showing by the Redhawks this weekend. The women's team finished first in the ECC meet last fall and the men were second.

"We have several athletes that have an opportunity to place," Logan said.

Logan has a simple goal for himself for when Smith is away.

"I just want to keep everything afloat," he said. "This is Sara's program. She has built it up and I want to make sure that I am honoring her and leave it in a better place."