Former Poseidon Coach Banned For Two Years

Matthew Elliott, a former swim coach with Poseidon Swimming in Virginia, has been banned by USA Swimming for two years for sexual misconduct involving a minor.

Elliott’s is now listed on USA Swimming’s list of individuals temporarily banned by the swimming federation. His ban began on January 29, 2018, and will last two full years, until January 29 of 2020. Along with his ban, USA Swimming listed the relevant violation in the Code of Conduct: 304.3.17, which give the broad umbrella of “Violation of SafeSport Code.”

We reached out to USA Swimming for more information, and they passed along a document that showed Elliott’s violation listed as “sexual misconduct – involving a minor,” and noted that the ban decision was made on December 7, 2017. (Typically, banned individuals aren’t listed on the public list until after their ban has gone through the appeals process.) USA Swimming also said Elliott was a coach with Poseidon.

We reached out to Poseidon for comment and for more information on Elliott’s role with the club, but haven’t yet received a response. Update below. We have not yet been able to dig up any record of an arrest of a swim coach named Matthew Elliott. We will update this story when we have further information.

Editor’s note: there is another USA Swimming coach in Indiana and well-known former University of Florida swimmer that has the same name as the subject of this article. The two are not the same person. 

Update: we’ve received the following statement from Poseidon Swimming:

Matt Elliott was employed as a part-time coach with Poseidon Swimming from August of 2016 until July 26, 2017. On August 9, 2017, information regarding Matt Elliott while he was a part-time coach with Poseidon came to the attention of Ted Sallade, Poseidon’s Head Coach.  He immediately reported it to the Director of Safe Sport with USA Swimming, and other appropriate authorities.  On August 17, 2017, Matt Elliott was arrested and subsequently prosecuted.

On March 10, 2018 Poseidon learned that, effective January 29, 2018, Matt Elliott has been placed on USA Swimming’s “Individuals Temporarily Banned” list for a period of two years.

Poseidon Swimming does not tolerate any type of inappropriate behavior from its coaches.  The safety of our swimmers is paramount, and Poseidon carefully screens all of its coaches prior to employment.  All Poseidon coaches go through a thorough criminal background check as well as USA Swimming’s Athlete Protection Training.  In addition, Poseidon coaches regularly receive continuing education and training about healthy coaching practices.

Poseidon does not wish for our team name to be associated with the actions of one individual. Poseidon maintains its commitment to provide a safe, healthy and fun filled technique-based experience for all of our swimmers.

The sad reality is that parents and coaches must be vigilant together to ensure the protection of our swimmers.  If there is one thing that Poseidon would like remembered out of this incident, it is that if credible evidence comes to light, Poseidon will not sweep it under the rug or look the other way.  Poseidon will always do what is right for the swimmer and make all appropriate reports immediately.  Poseidon does not want this type of media attention, but it is part and parcel of doing the right thing.  At Poseidon, we do the right thing.