Mykenzie Leehy resigned last week as head coach of the women’s swimming team at College of Saint Mary (CSM), an NAIA program located in Omaha, Nebraska.
Leehy spent less than two seasons at CSM following a standout NCAA career at the University of Houston and Auburn University. A five-time American Athletic Conference champion at Houston, she made the move to Auburn for her fifth year of collegiate eligibility in 2021, following her coach Ryan Wochomurka.
Soon after graduating from Auburn with a master’s degree in education, Leehy took over as head coach at CSM, just about 15 minutes away from her high school, Lewis Central, in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The CSM women placed 9th out of nine teams at the 2023 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships in February with 220 points in the Flames’ first season under Leehy’s leadership.
Sophomore breaststroke specialist Lily Wright went on to March’s NAIA National Championships in Columbus, Georgia, where she placed 7th in the 200 breast (2:22.88) and 9th in the 100 breast (1:04.66).
At the Augie Invitational in November, the CSM quartet of Mia Gauvin, Wright, Hannah Ryan, and Kylee Brown set a school record in the 400 medley relay with a time of 4:07.11.
What it doesn’t say is that Leehy’s sister was the assistant coach. Both quit just six weeks into the season and walked away. Prior to telling the girls, Mykenzie unfriended all the girls on the team and changed her personal phone number. She did the girls dirty. They’ve got a great new coach and assistant. The girls have risen from the ashes.
Article should also say she lead Lily Wright to a 7th place finish at NAIA Nationals in the 200 Breast and a 9th place finish in the 100 Breast…
Truth. And she led a bunch of other girls to success last year on top of it. why they even decided to post this in the first place if they can’t get the timing of her leaving right is beyond me.
Going straight into head coaching of any college program without having time as assistant is a rough gig. Wonder if she will stay in coaching or if this is it.
Great timing.