In a move to strengthen the coaching team of the Kentucky swimming & diving program, head coach Bret Lundgaard made a notable addition to his coaching staff this Friday. Former Wildcat swimmer Colin Faris has been appointed as Assistant Coach, marking a homecoming for the accomplished swimmer.
Bret Lundgaard expressed his excitement regarding Faris’s return to his alma mater. “Colin is the perfect coach for what we are building,” Lundgaard remarked. “Being an alum, he has an innate connection with the program, exuding a spirit that truly bleeds blue. His comprehensive experience of swimming and coaching, both at club and collegiate levels, particularly in Kentucky and the southeast, makes him invaluable. Colin’s passion and vision are in line with our ambition to elevate this program to unparalleled heights.”
Colin Faris’s association with the University of Kentucky is long-standing. He swam for the Wildcats from 2007 to 2011 and rose to the position of team captain in his senior year. Faris’s accolades during his time at UK include being a part of the 200-yard freestyle relay team at the 2009 NCAA Championships and qualifying for the Olympic Trials in the 50-meter freestyle.
Beyond his achievements as a swimmer, Faris boasts an impressive coaching resume. Most recently, he served as a Volunteer Assistant Coach at Louisville and a Senior/National Coach with Cardinal Aquatics. During his tenure with the Cardinals, he mentored several NCAA qualifiers and All-Americans. Faris also made significant contributions at Excel Aquatics as an associate head coach, propelling many swimmers to national rankings and qualifications. He held the position of head swimming coach at Centennial High School in Tennessee and has coached with notable institutions like the Lexington Dolphins, Centre College, Idle Hour Country Club, and Henry Clay High School.
On rejoining the University of Kentucky, Faris shared his enthusiasm, stating, “Returning to Kentucky as an assistant coach feels like coming home. I am eager to channel my passion for the sport and play a pivotal role in molding the next generation of athletes, ensuring their success both in and out of the water.”
With Faris’s return, the future of Kentucky swimming & diving looks promising, and it’s anticipated that his impact will be instrumental in propelling the team to new achievements.