PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Bridgewater State University alumnus Charlie MacDonald has been named interim head coach of the Bears' men's and women's swimming & diving programs, as announced by Bridgewater State Associate Vice President for Student Life & Athletics Dr. Marybeth Lamb.

MacDonald takes over the programs following the departure of longtime head coach Mike Caruso, who recently stepped down after 15 seasons at the helm. MacDonald, a former Bridgewater State student-athlete and assistant coach, returns to lead a program with which he has been connected for more than a decade.

A 2015 graduate of Bridgewater State, MacDonald competed for the Bears' swimming & diving program for four seasons and served as captain of the men's team during his junior and senior campaigns.

Following his collegiate career, MacDonald transitioned into coaching and remained involved with the Bears. He first served as an assistant coach during the 2015-16 season before returning as a volunteer assistant from 2019 through 2024.

MacDonald was a member of the Bridgewater State coaching staff during a historic 2021-22 season in which the Bears captured the inaugural Little East Conference Men's Swimming & Diving Championship, securing the first conference championship in program history.

"The opportunity to succeed my mentor and friend, Mike Caruso, is an honor," MacDonald said. "I am looking forward to building on the success he brought to this program along with the incredible assistant coaches and student-athletes here."

In addition to his experience at Bridgewater State, MacDonald has built an extensive coaching résumé at both the collegiate and high school levels. He joined the Tufts University coaching staff as an assistant in 2016 before being named head swimming coach at Cedar Crest College in August 2017.

MacDonald helped establish Cedar Crest's diving program and was elevated to head swimming & diving coach in July 2018. He was named the Northeast Athletic Conference (NEAC) Women's Coach of the Year in each of his two seasons leading the program.

He later served as associate head swimming coach at Dexter Southfield School beginning in 2022 before returning to the collegiate ranks as an assistant coach at Babson College from 2024-26.

MacDonald currently serves as a mathematics and science teacher at Saint Catherine of Siena School in Norwood, Massachusetts, in addition to his new role with the Bears.

"Being part of this program as a student-athlete and assistant coach helped shape me as a person, and being able to return as head coach is a dream come true," MacDonald said. "I am so excited to return to Bridgewater State to lead the Swimming & Diving program. Thank you to Dr. Lamb and everyone at BSU Athletics for giving me this opportunity."

Bridgewater State enters the 2026-27 season under MacDonald's leadership looking to continue its success in the Little East Conference. The Bears' men's program has been a part of the LEC since the conference began sponsoring men's swimming & diving in 2021-22.