The University of Wyoming announced two changes to their coaching staff on Friday. Head coach Dave Denniston promoted Sydney Buckley-Murdock from part-time to full-time assistant coach and hired former Wyoming swimmer Kellen Chadderdon as an assistant coach and the director of operations.
“We were in a unique situation with Coach Kristin Walker leaving, where we weren’t quite sure what our structure was going to look like for our coaching staff,” Denniston said in the university’s press release. “We did a thorough national search, and there were some great coaches and recruiters that showed interest. But at the end of the day, what we [the coaching staff] came up with is that there’s people that have been involved with our program for the last three, four or five years that understand who we are as a team, understand how I operate, and really have a shared passion and love for Wyoming and our program.”
“I think Sydney and Kellen have the foundation of really building more on what we want to see out of our swimmers and divers and making sure that the culture is at the core of it,” Denniston added. “So, the fact that they are already fully bought in and love this program, made it an easy choice for us to be able to teach and grow through coaching and recruiting.”
Buckley-Murdock has been with the Wyoming program since 2022, when she joined the staff as a volunteer assistant before being promoted to a part-time coach in 2023. Before arriving in Laramie, she served as the head coach of the Colorado Torpedoes for three years, and served as the volunteer assistant at North Texas, where she earned her degree in accounting and swam for four years, for one season before that.
“I’m honored to take on a larger role with Wyoming swimming and diving,” Buckley-Murdock said. “Wearing the brown and gold means representing the state of Wyoming, and I take great pride in that. This program has a strong legacy and a bright future, and I am eager to help push it to the next level. Go Pokes!”
Chadderdon just wrapped up his own swimming career in March and graduated from Wyoming this past May with a degree in kinesiology and health promotion. A Casper, Wyoming native, he started out as a walk-on with the men’s swimming and diving team but over his five years grew into a leader and mainstay for the Cowboys.
The versatile swimmer claimed multiple top-16 finishes at the Western Athletic Conference Championships over the course of his career, and boasts best times of 48.72 in the 100 fly, 49.55/1:48.56 in the backstrokes, 56.68/2:04.69 in the breaststrokes, and 1:48.99 in the 200 IM.
“I was blessed to compete as a Cowboy for five years and I’m very excited about my new role,” Chadderdon said. “Being a Cowboy is about grit, pride and hard work, and I can’t wait to give everything I have to this team. I’m grateful to Coach Dave, the coaching staff and athletes for welcoming me back. This team has big things coming. I am beyond thrilled to be a part of that journey and help push this program forward.”
Buckley-Murdock and Chadderdon join a coaching staff that includes, besides Denniston, head diving coach Mark Murdock and assistant coach and men’s recruiting coordinator Jonathan Reeder.
