Decorated Wildcat Lara Jackson Returns To Arizona As Assistant Coach

Lara Jackson, a nine-time NCAA champion at the University of Arizona during her collegiate career, will return to her alma mater as an assistant coach in the 2021-22 NCAA season, the school announced Wednesday.

Jackson joins the Arizona coaching staff led by Augie Busch after spending the last two seasons as an assistant at Florida Gulf Coast University, helping lead the Eagle women to the CCSA conference title in 2021.

“I am so excited to welcome Lara to our staff. She is a proud, engaged alum whose passion and love for this program are second to none,” Busch said.

“The added emotional attachment she has to Arizona Swimming & Diving is very exciting and I can’t wait to see how that not only motivates her but rubs off on everyone who is part of our team. She is an excellent coach and made a significant impact in a short period of time at FGCU. As an athlete, what separated her from even the greats was a next-level attention to detail. That same focus, combined with her unique and caring communication style, are central to her effectiveness a coach. Arizona Swimming & Diving just got a lot better with Lara coming aboard.”

Jackson will replace Jesse Stipek, who started as a graduate assistant during the 2013-14 season and was promoted to assistant coach in August 2015. Stipek will turn his focus to teaching.

During her four-year career at Arizona, Jackson won two individual NCAA titles in the women’s 50 freestyle in 2008 and 2009, and added seven relay victories with the Wildcats.

The El Paso, Texas native was a key contributor in 2008 when the Arizona women won their first-ever NCAA team title.

At the 2009 Women’s NCAA Championships, Jackson won three of her national titles during the same session in the 200 free relay, 50 free and 400 medley relay. Her lead-off time on the 200 free relay, 21.27, broke the U.S. Open Record in the 50 free at the time, and stood as the fastest swim ever until 2015. It also remains Arizona’s program record to this day. Jackson would go on to win the Ruby Award later that year, given annually to Arizona’s most outstanding female student-athlete.

“This position with the University of Arizona Swimming & Diving program is a dream come true,” Jackson said. “Tucson is such a special place, and even in the decade I’ve spent elsewhere since graduating I have always remained a Wildcat in my heart, a Wildcat for life.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity coach Busch has given me to be part of this program’s future. I couldn’t be more excited to be here and I am ready for the long haul with Arizona. This is my city, my University, and my team.”

Inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 2017, Jackson also won a gold medal representing the United States on the international stage at the 2011 Pan American Games in the women’s 50 freestyle.

While coaching at FGCU, Jackson worked closely with sprinter Wiktoria Czarnecka, who won gold in the women’s 50 free at the 2020 CCSA Championships, swept the 50 and 100 freestyles in 2021, and also led the Eagles to victory in the 200 free relay last season.

The Arizona women’s sprint program will seek a revival under Jackson, having not fielded a 200 or 400 free relay at the 2021 NCAAs, and entering no swimmers in the 50 free. Rising sophomore Amalie Mortensen was the lone Wildcat entry at NCAAs in the women’s 100 free, placing 51st as a freshman.

Prior to FGCU, Jackson spent three years coaching in France with Vichy Val d’Allier Natation, a club based in Bellerive-sur-Allier, France, where she served as both the head senior coach and the head strength and conditioning coach.

Jackson earned her B.S. in Animal Sciences from the University of Arizona in 2009.