WALTHAM, Mass. -- Brandeis University head men's and women's fencing coach Jennie Salmon will be stepping down at the end of August, director of athletics Lauren Haynie announced today.

"Jennie has had a tremendous influence on the Brandeis fencing program," Haynie said. "She has also been a trusted colleague, willing to lend her considerable talents to advance the goals of our department."

"I am very grateful for the trust and support that the entire Brandeis Athletic department afforded me over the last four years," said Salmon. "My passion for the sport, particularly collegiate fencing, has flourished here. I am so proud of all the fencers in the program and know they will continue to push themselves to greater heights as students, athletes and outstanding members of the community at Brandeis and beyond. "

In her four years at Brandeis, Salmon helped four different fencers qualify for the NCAA Championships. The 2020 championships were canceled, but in 2022, Maggie Shealy '23 was named a National Collegiate All-American, Brandeis's first in a decade. Salmon was named the United States Fencing Coaches' Association Division III Coach of the Year, while five of her student-athletes were named USFCA Division III All-Americans, including Shealy, who was named the Division III Women's Sabre Fencer of the Year, and Tony Escueta '25, named the Division III Men's Sabre and Men's Newcomer of the Year.

In addition, the Brandeis men's and women's teams were named USFCA All-Academic teams all three years since the award was instituted. Numerous student-athletes were named as USFCA Individual All-Academic honors and Scholars of Distinction, while Chris Armstrong '21 was named a CoSIDA Academic All-American. 

Salmon took over the helm of the Brandeis program in 2018 after a successful career as a high school coach and the founder of Mission Fencing Center in Rocky Point, New York. 

Brandeis will begin a national search for Salmon's successor.