The University of North Florida has promoted Lindsey McKnight to head coach, the school announced Thursday. McKnight takes over the program after the school parted ways with previous head coach Ian Coffey who spent 12 seasons with the program.
“I’m so honored for the opportunity to lead this program,” McKnight added. “This team has built a culture of hard work, trust and unity, and I’m proud to continue that tradition as head coach. I’m thankful to the athletic department for the confidence they’ve placed in me, and I’m excited to help this team continue to succeed not only as athletes, but as individuals as well.”
McKnight joined the North Florida program in June 2022 and has spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach. Over the last four seasons, the team has set 12 school records including seven this past season. Prior to his time with North Florida, McKnight was a private swim instructor in Florida, Massachusetts and Virginia from 2015 to 2021.
McKnight grew up in Coral Springs, Florida and attended American Heritage High School. There she swam to 13 FHSAA State Championship titles during her career. She went on to attend the University of Florida where she was a five-time NCAA All-American. She graduated in 2017 with a bachelor’s in Political Science. She was an U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in 2008, 2012 and 2016.
The North Florida women finished 6th out of 9 teams at the 2026 ASUN Championships and saw Kayla Daley earn first-team All-ASUN honors. Daley became the first All-ASUN finisher in program history and will be a senior this fall.
