Northern Iowa women’s swimming & diving program has named Nick Lakin as their new head coach.
Lakin will take over for outgoing Doug Humphrey, who has guided the program to new heights since he started the job in 2012. Before Humphrey, the UNI women had only won 1 individual/relay Missouri Valley Conference title. As of the finish of the 2016-17 season, the Panthers have garnered 14 more indiviudal/relay MVC titles. Under Humphrey, UNI has finished 3rd the last two seasons at the MVC Championships, which is the highest the team has ever finished in history.
While Humphrey is leaving to take over the South Dakota State program, Lakin joins UNI from nearby in Iowa. Lakin has a long club coaching history, having served as the head coach and program director for the Black Hawk Area Swim Team since 2003. He has racked up several accolades in Iowa for his coaching with Black Hawk; he has been honored as the Iowa Senior Coach of the Year in 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2013, while he and his staff have been named the Iowa Age Group Staff of the Year in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Lakin also has served on the Iowa Swim Coach Association Board of Directors since 2004, and he’s led as the president since 2014.
You can read the full release below, courtesy of UNI Athletics:
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – University of Northern Iowa Director of Athletics David Harris has tabbed Nick Lakin as the head coach of the Panther swimming and diving program.
“We are pleased to have Nick take over as our head swimming and diving coach at UNI,” Harris said. “He has a proven track record of coaching and developing talent from the state of Iowa. UNI swimming and diving is on an upward trend and Nick has a tremendous opportunity to continue the success enjoyed by this program.”
“As a lifelong Panther fan I am both humbled and thrilled to become part of the Panther family,” Lakin said. “I want to thank Christina Roybal and David Harris for their support and this opportunity to continue to progress of the UNI Swimming and Diving team. I look forward to working with all the wonderful student-athletes we have on campus and continuing to help their academic and athletic success. This is a special group of young women and I can’t wait to begin our work together. Go Panthers!”
Lakin has served as the head coach and program director for the Black Hawk Area Swim Team since 2003. He has designed and implemented competitive swimming progressions for more than 200 athletes aged 5-22 annually. He has developed and maintained working relationships with area high school coaches, local organizations and donors. Lakin has developed more than 50 athletes who have competed at the collegiate level.
He also has gained experience in recruiting and communication while in his role with the Black Hawk Area Swim Team. He has designed recruiting and marketing plans for new athletes along with retention reports to track the progress of his team. Lakin has developed booster and sponsor programs that have increased alumni and community involvement. Lakin also has overseen a club communication program that has increased knowledge and support with athletes and families.
Lakin has served on the Iowa Swim Coaches Association Board of Directors since 2004 and has been the president since 2014. He also was the vice president for the ISCA from 2006-2014. Lakin has been honored as the Iowa Senior Coach of the Year in 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2013. He and his staff have been named the Age Group Staff of the Year in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in advertising at Marist College in 2002. Lakin was a 10-time conference champion and was a four-time conference all-academic selection as a swimming student-athlete. He captained the men’s team to a top-10 mid-major ranking and two conference titles.
He and his wife, Jen, have two children Trey (5) and Maddax (1).