Cornell University women’s swimming and diving head coach Patrick Gallagher has announced the latest addition to the Big Red’s staff: former Texas All-American Carlye Ellis. Ellis will head to Ithaca from Valparaiso University in Indiana, where she was assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s teams.
Ellis was a two-time Big 12 champion and All-American while at University of Texas, where she swam from 2007-2011. Prior to joining the Valparaiso Crusaders, Ellis was an assistant coach for the National, Sectional and TAGS groups at Nitro Swimming in Austin, Texas.
Cornell has spent the last year completely revamping their swimming and diving program. Last summer, the Big Red announced the promotion of assistant coaches Gallagher and Wes Newman to associate head coach positions. Then in May 2015, former head coach of the combined men’s and women’s program, Joe Lucia, announced his retirement after 28 years at the helm. Gallagher and Newman were promoted once again, this time to the head coaching slot for the respective women’s and men’s teams. Lucia stated at the time that he would remain on the sidelines to work with alumni and fundraising.
Cornell finished seventh at 2015 Ivy League Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, but the young and impressive squad posted 38 all-time top-10 performances during the 2014-15 season.
