Eric Starling/Auburn Daily
The Top Equestrian Head Coaching Candidates Auburn Should Pursue
College equestrian head coaching jobs don’t open up very often, but with Auburn’s Greg Williams announcing his retirement Wednesday afternoon, the sport’s premiere coaching position has officially put up the, “Help Wanted” sign.
For 28 years, Williams has led the Tigers - before it was even a varsity sport. In addition to starting Auburn’s program, he was also the major architect of the head-to-head format adopted by the sport.
Filling his boots won’t be easy. Taking over on the Plains will require a leader who can recruit at the highest level, has championship experience, knows what it takes to win in the SEC, and has a knack for developing talent.
The Leading Candidates for the Auburn Job:
When arguably the nation’s top college equestrian job opens up, everyone starts polishing their resume. Here’s a short list of the top candidates to be Auburn’s next head equestrian coach.
Carol Gwin - Head Coach, SMU
Who better to replace the SEC Coach of the Year than the National Coach of the Year?
Coach Gwin has helmed SMU for the past nine years, leading the Mustangs to their first National Championship in program history with a victory over Auburn just a few weeks ago. Before SMU, Gwin spent 4 seasons as an assistant coach at South Carolina, specializing in the Jumping Seat discipline.
Gwin has demonstrated an ability to attract top-level talent to Dallas, as the Mustangs boasted nine riders with All-American distinction this season. She also proved adept in navigating the issues of swelled rosters caused by COVID super-senior seasons, retaining the core of SMU’s starting talent since the pandemic.
In recent years Gwin has proven she has the vision and leadership necessary to oversee a major program as she successfully transitioned SMU from a member of less-prestigious equestrian conference, to the nation’s only independent equestrian team. The move could have led to ignominy. Instead, it led to a championship.
While Gwin has shown it’s possible to win at an independent program, the appeal of Auburn’s history of success has to be attractive. Her interest in Auburn is unknown, it would certainly benefit both parties to begin having some conversations.
Jessica Braswell - Associate Head Coach, Auburn
If Auburn AD John Cowen is looking for the smoothest transition to new leadership, Braswell’s the obvious choice.
An “Auburn Woman” if ever there was one, Jessica Braswell rode on Auburn’s 2006 National Championship team, served as the Equestrian Director of Operations after graduation, and has spent the past 8 seasons as Auburn’s associate head coach.
The list of All-Americans Braswell has recruited to Auburn in her career is too long to list, but suffice to say, it’s a very large number. Braswell has also seen numerous riders under her care develop from less-heralded riders into regular starters for the Tigers.
There’s a reason throughout Auburn’s many championship seasons, Williams has always been quick to credit her as a chief reason for the program’s success.
With her long tenure in the program, Braswell is unique among candidates, and is probably the most likely candidate to maintain Auburn’s championship legacy.
Any of the Other Three SEC Head Coaches
It’s probably unlikely that another SEC equestrian coach would jump ship to a conference rival, but if any SEC job could make it happen, it’s Auburn.
Of the three, Georgia’s Meghan Boenig would probably generate the most interest from Auburn, but with the Bulldogs having the most recent National Championship among SEC schools, it’s doubtful Boenig would view leaving Athens a step up.
Similarly, Texas A&M’s Tana McKay would be a strong hire from Auburn’s perspective, but the gap between Auburn and A&M from a program perspective probably isn’t great enough for her to end her 23-year/ multiple championship-winning career with the Aggies.
And while Boo Major’s recent South Carolina seasons haven’t been as successful as she’d hoped, she’s still helmed the Gamecocks’ program for over two decades and brought home three National Championships. So while the Auburn job might be tempting, she knows she can win in Columbia, and probably has little motivation to leave.
Haley Schoolfield - Head Coach, TCU
Schoolfield has overseen the Horned Frogs for the past 10 seasons. Four years before that, she served as an assistant coach over the Jumping Seat for SMU, and was a four-year starter for Texas A&M in college.
Like any head coach at a top program, Schoolfield has recruited numerous All-Conference and All-Americans to ride for her, and in recent seasons has seen the Horned Frogs go on some incredible winning streaks during the regular season.
The only knock against her is probably her lack of championships as a head coach. Her most recent three teams have fallen just short of conference rival Oklahoma State in the postseason.
Of course, it’s possible that access to Auburn’s resources and prestigious pedigree could be the missing piece to Schoolfield winning titles.
Jessie Weisinger - Assistant Coach (Horsemanship), Baylor
Two years ago, Weisinger joined the Bears after leaving her head coaching position at UC Davis, which she raised to the varsity level after several years as a club sport. Before that, she was a multi-year starter for Texas A&M.
As an assistant at Baylor, she’s overseen two strong sets of western teams for the Bears.
Weisinger’s experience with the Western discipline could be an interesting hire if Auburn could also retain Jessica Braswell. Their combined experience across both riding disciplines could see Auburn continuing to attract acclaimed recruiting classes year in and year out.
Long Shot Candidates:
These candidates might not have the extensive resumes of the above coaches, but each has some notable qualities that bear mentioning in any head coaching conversation.
Abby O’Mara - Associate Head Coach, Texas A&M
O’Mara’s just completed her sixth season with the Aggies. Before her time there, she was a four-year starter and multi-year All-American in the Jumping Seat for Georgia.
She’s attracted numerous high-caliber riders to College Station, and would likely bring a fresh approach to Auburn.
Logan Fiorentino - Head Jumping Seat Coach, TCU
Another former Georgia Jumping Seat rider, Fiorentino has spent 12 seasons in Fort Worth, most of it overseeing her preferred discipline.
She’s accomplished in attracting and developing talent, producing numerous All-Conference and All-Americans throughout her tenure.
Anna Becker - Assistant Coach (Jumping Seat), Georgia
The former Auburn Tiger became an assistant coach for Georgia 5 seasons ago, and in her short career has continued Georgia’s tradition of strength in the discipline.
While it’s probably a bit early in Becker’s career to see a jump to the head-coaching ranks, she could still find her way to the Plains if Auburn's Braswell were to become Auburn’s next head coach.
Laura Brainard - Western Assistant Coach, Oklahoma State
The former Texas A&M rider has been a part of several top programs. Brainard has spent the last 4 seasons overseeing the Cowgirls’ Western teams. Previously she spent one season on Baylor’s Big 12 Championship-winning staff, coaching their outstanding Western team, and another three years before that as an assistant at Georgia.
Like some of the other assistants mentioned, Brainard figures to have a bright future in the sport, with a potential head coaching position in her likely future.
Lots of Good Candidates, But a Tough Task Regardless
It won’t be easy finding the right person to follow the coach who literally MADE Auburn Equestrian. Fortunately for AD Cowen, he’s got some good options.
The sport that Greg Williams helped establish has produced a plethora of talented coaches across the country. Soon, one of them will step into his former position and lead Auburn Equestrian into its next chapter.