Louisiana State University announced today that Pace Clark would be joining the coaching staff as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator this season.
Clark was named the head coach of Delta State last October, after their former head coach left the position in September. Fall term has already started for both Delta State and LSU and, at the time of publishing, Clark was still listed as the head coach on the Delta State website.
LSU head coach Rick Bishop said “We are excited to have Pace join the LSU Swimming and Diving program as our new Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Coach. Pace has a unique understanding of the dedication, work ethic, and resilience needed to achieve at the top of our sport.”
Clark was a gold medalist in the 800 freestyle relay at the Short Course World Championships in 2016, and he was ranked 9th in the world in the 200 butterfly that year.
He attended the University of Georgia from 2013 to 2017, becoming a 12-time NCAA All-American. His senior year, he won the 200 butterfly at the SEC Championships, and he held the school records in the 100 and 200 fly until 2021.
“I am thrilled and honored to join the LSU Swimming and Diving team as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator,” said Clark. “Working alongside Coach Bishop, whose coaching experience is transforming the program, is an incredible opportunity. I’m eager to add my passion and experience to the pool deck, learn from his leadership, and help drive the LSU program towards the top of the SEC.”
Clark first began coaching in 2019, when he started a four year stint as an assistant coach at the Greater Pensacola Aquatic Club, which is where he was until he took over the coaching job at Delta State.
With Clark at the helm, both the men’s and women’s teams finished 2nd at the NSISC Conference Championships, and every swimmer set at least one new best time.
Clark will join a coaching staff of Bishop, Jon Sakovich, Lyle Robelot, Drew Livingston, and Brogan Barr. They also have two graduate assistant coaches in Delaney Crowder and Ezra Dickerson. They did not have a named recruiting coordinator last season.
LSU will swim their first meet of the season, the Purple & Gold Intrasquad, in just over two weeks on September 13th.
Pace Clock?
So this is the second year in a row that the Delta State head coach has left in the late summer/early fall?
Must be so frustrating and worrying, Poor kids (from Delta).
Great program for a coach to come into as well. The pool is arguably the best in D2 and directly on campus.
Yeah, but you gotta live in Cleveland Mississippi. So there’s that.
He is from Memphis so there’s that!