Editor’s Note: Maclin Simpson was a member of the SwimSwam writing staff until accepting this position. We wish him well in his future endeavours.
University of Kentucky head coach Lars Jorgensen announced the addition of Maclin Simpson to the Wildcat coaching staff. Simpson, a former Wildcat swimmer and team captain himself, will be heading to Lexington as the newest assistant coach. He enters in the absence of former assistant Derek Perkins, who left Lexington after 8 seasons to become the head coach of Eastern Michigan University.
Simpson competed at Kentucky collegiately, both for former head coach Gary Conelly and current head coach Lars Jorgensen. He specialized in butterfly and IMs as a swimmer. Jorgensen said of the move, “Maclin is a hard-working young coach who will bring great energy to our program. I have always admired Maclin’s leadership skills, and I know he will help our program in many areas. We are excited to welcome him back home to the Big Blue Nation.”
Simpson has coaching experience as an assistant at Highlander Aquatics in orlando, Florida. “First and foremost, I want to thank Lars Jorgensen for this incredible opportunity,” Simpson said. “I am honored and humbled to return home to Lexington and give back to the team, school and community that gave so much to me. What Lars and his coaching staff are building at Kentucky is truly special, and I can’t wait to help this team reach new heights.”
The Wildcats are coming off a positive 2018-2019 season, wherein the women finished 3rd at SECs and 15th at NCAAs, and the the men were 7th at SECs and 25th at NCAAs.
Mason 2.0
I wouldn’t say 1 year coaching at a club team and writing for swimswam makes you very qualified for college coaching. Maybe he’ll surprise people though?
I agree BUT one’s first college coaching gig probably doesn’t have much experience….
Lol