Pepperdine Hires Emma Durham as Assistant Coach
Emma Durham – nee Emma Sticklen – has been hired as an assistant coach by Pepperdine.
Durham joins the staff of Dan Marella in California. She spent her first season post-graduation at the University of Pennsylvania as an assistant coach.
Durham wrapped up a stellar NCAA career in 2025, a three-time NCAA champion in the 200 butterfly at the University of Texas. She is the NCAA record holder the 200 fly at 1:49.11.
“I am incredibly excited and honored to be joining Pepperdine University as assistant coach,” Durham said in a press release. “The tight-knit community and Christian values at the heart of the university make it a truly special place. Coach Dan and I have a shared vision for this program, and the opportunity to make a real impact both in and out of the pool is what excites me most!”
Durham spent last season as an assistant at Penn, helping the Quakers to their highest finish in program history by taking home second place at the Ivy League Championship. She mentored athletes to seven NCAA qualifying swims and two individual Ivy League titles.
“We are thrilled to welcome Emma to Pepperdine,” Marella said. “During her time at Penn, she established herself as one of the top recruiters in the country, while also demonstrating a tremendous ability to develop and elevate her student-athletes. Her experience as one of the most accomplished swimmers in NCAA history brings an invaluable perspective to our program and culture. This addition reflects the direction and ambition of our program. Monique and I are excited to continue building the future of Pepperdine Swimming and Diving with Emma.”
Durham, a native of Katy, Texas, was a 23-time All-American with the Longhorns. She won three SEC titles – 200 IM, 100 fly and 200 fly – as a senior. She qualified for Olympic Trials in 2021 and 2024.
Durham received her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science in 2024 and a master’s degree from Communication and Media Studies in 2025, both from Texas.