Eric Bugby, Niagara University's head men's and women's swimming coach since 2019, has announced that he is stepping down from the position.

Bugby led the Purple Eagles to three MAAC women's championships (2022, 2024, 2025) and one MAAC men's championship (2025) during his time on Monteagle Ridge. He was also named MAAC women's coach of the Year in 2022, while sweeping the men's and women's awards in 2025. Success extended outside of the pool as well under Bugby's leadership as both the men's and women's programs earned Scholar All-American designation multiple times from the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association.

"Eric has done an exemplary job of establishing a championship culture for our swimming programs in his time as head coach," Associate Vice President for Athletics Simon Gray said.  "During his tenure, the student-athlete experience has featured tremendous academic and athletic success. We are grateful for Eric's professionalism and dedication to building and sustaining these highly-decorated programs that have brought significant notoriety to our department and institution. We wish Eric well as he begins the next chapter of his life."

During Bugby's tenure at Niagara, the Purple Eagles had four major award winners with Natalie Killion winning women's swimmer of the meet in 2025 and Alaina Pitton winning women's rookie of the meet in 2024, while Martina Divis won women's rookie of the meet and Lance Cruz won men's rookie of the meet in 2025. Multiple school and MAAC records also fell under Bugby's leadership.

A search for the Purple Eagles next head swimming and diving coach is underway.