Coaches & Directors

Head Coach Jennifer Gil Smetana swam competitively in Texas from an age grouper through her college years at the University of the Incarnate Word. Jen started teaching swim lessons at the age of 15, helping her local summer swim league team, which allowed her to develop her coaching skills from a young age. Her mother famously said, “she never had swim lessons but has always been a fish”.

Jen has a true love of coaching and teaching and tries to make each individual swimmer feel seen and wanted on the pool deck. This mentality is what she instills in her staff and is what helps make the San Antonio Wave have that family-like feel.

Jen is married to Joshua Smetana, who before they were married use to attend as many swim meets as possible just to spend time with her. After several years of marriage, Joshua still makes an appearance at all the Championships meets. Now they share a young son, JJ, who makes appearances at swim practice and meets. They are all members of Holy Spirit Episcopal church and actively give back to their community.

Favorite Stroke(s): Freestyle and Butterfly

Coaching experience:
*Head Coach- San Antonio Wave 2022- Present
*Assistant Coach- San Antonio Splash Summer League Team 2017-Present
*Assistant Coach- TMI– The Episcopal School of Texas Upper School 2016-Present
*Head Coach- TMI– The Episcopal School of Texas Middle School 2016-2021
*Assistant Coach- San Antonio Wave 2014-2022
*Head Coach- Hunters Creek Summer League Team 2014
*Assistant Coach- Tuloso-Midway Summer League Team 2009-2012

Travel Team Coaching:
*2020 USA Swimming National Diversity Camp Assistant Manager - Olympic Training Center
*2018 STX Select Camp Coach
*2018 STX Zone Team Coach
*2016 Open Water Festival Coach

Personal Swimming Experiences:

*Tuloso-Midway HS Corpus Christi, TX
*Bays Edge Aquatic Team (BEAT)
*University of the Incarnate Word

Personal Swimming accomplishments:
*HS All South Texas Team
*HS All Regional Team
*HS All State Team
*Collegiate Conference Team
*Collegiate Travel Team

Education/ Certifications:
*DEI South Texas Board Member 2021-Present
*University of the Incarnate Word
*Bachelor of Science in Biology
*ASCA Level 1, 2, & 3 Certified
*American Red Cross certified in CPR, First Aid, and Coaches Safety Training

Things I enjoy, when not on the pool deck:
Spending time with my husband of three years, two small dogs, and our adorable son. You can catch us watching sports, especially the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Cowboys! If we are not watching sports, then we outside running, hiking, and playing sports.

Favorite Quote(s):
“No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else.” -P.T. Barnum
“I literally had one goal tonight, and that was to have fun, and I did that. I’m not happy with the time or the place, but I’m happy that I had fun, and that’s literally all that mattered.” — Elizabeth Beisel

Goals or things that sum up what it is for you to be a coach:

Real relationships drive real motivation. If you don’t take the time to get to know the swimmers you coach, how can you know the best, most effective ways to teach, lead, and motivate them?