Longtime Union College Coach Scott Felix Quietly Relieved of Duties

Longtime Union College Coach Scott Felix Quietly Relieved of Duties

Scott Felix, who was in his 21st season as the men’s and women’s swimming coach at Union College, was dismissed on Wednesday.

The departure, from the Division III college in upstate New York, is the second coaching change in quick succession. The firing was not noted officially by the college, reported only by the Albany Times Union. Felix no longer is listed on the program’s list of coaches, with Dirk Francios tabbed as interim head.

It’s an abrupt departure for a coach that has spent more than 20 years at the college. A graduate of the University of Delaware and school record holder, Felix took over the program in 2001. The team has scored points at the Division III Championships on 24 occasions (15 for the men, nine for the women). The men’s team topped out at 14th at D3s in 2003, while the women were as high as 32nd in 2008.

NCAA Division III Coverage

Between them, the teams have won four New York State championships and four Liberty League titles, including a men’s and women’s sweep of the latter in 2005. Felix has mentored 11 first-team All-Americas, 31 individual and eight total All-America relays and one NCAA champion, Elliot Seguin in the 100 freestyle in 2005.

Prior to Union, Felix received his master’s degree at Springfield College, where he was an assistant for two seasons. He was an assistant for three years and an interim head coach at the United States Military Academy at West Point, part of a pair of Patriot League titlists. He also coached in Division II as the head man at West Virginia Wesleyan.

Felix is not the most high-profile recent departure: Union accepted the resignation of men’s hockey coach Rick Bennett last week. Bennett, who led the Dutchmen to a Division I national championship in 2014 and has produced a slew of pros including several NHLers and an Olympian, was placed on administrative leave Jan. 20 after an allegation regarding, per the Times Union, “Bennett’s coaching style and practices.”

It’s unclear if the dismissals are related. Union College has, again per the Times Union, had 12 coaching changes in 24 varsity sports since 2018. Bennett had been at the college since 2011.

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Kyle Schack

2 years ago

I am grateful to have had Coach Felix at Union for 20 years. He took care of us as students and mentored us as alumni. He cares about each kid and showed that to us by the way he would listen with empathy and be excited for our life events. This news is surprising to me and other alums. We are truly thankful he is a part of our lives.