Davenport Names Don Kimble as Assistant Swimming & Diving Coach

Courtesy: Davenport Athletics

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Davenport University athletic department is pleased to announce the appointment of Don Kimble as an assistant coach for the swimming and diving programs effective July 1, 2019. Kimble has a wealth of experience that will greatly benefit the new program at Davenport which just finished their first season of competition in 2018-19. He most recently served as aquatic director/head coach at Byron Center public schools since March 2013. He oversaw the growth of a club that went from 25 to 150 participants during his time. As a head coach for the Byron Center High School boys and girls squads, he compiled an overall record of 170-31-1 and finished in the top 10 in the state eight times (4 boys and 4 girls).

“We are thrilled to add Don Kimble to our coaching staff,” said head coach Justin Vasquez. “He is one of the best swim coaches in the country and his reputation in the swimming community and accomplishments speak to that. Our programs will benefit greatly from his extensive swimming knowledge and experience.”

Kimble’s laundry list of accomplishments also includes personally developing 61 individuals and 55 relays to high school all-American status, six Michigan High School Athletic Association team state championships and a career record of 543-102-2 during high school dual meets. In the past 16 years, he has mentored 34 NCAA Division I swimmers, 26 NCAA Division II swimmers and 32 NCAA Division III swimmers. Out of those, 31 have qualified for their prospective NCAA Championship including 18 during their freshman season.

The accolades don’t stop there as Kimble has trained six athletes who participated in the 2012 Olympic Trials in addition to being named the 2012 Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association Matt Mann Award winner. The award is the highest honor given by the MISCA for continued leadership and contributions to the sport. Kimble was also elected to the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014. He was one of 15 coaches from across the state in all sports inducted that year.

“I want to first thank Coach Vasquez and Davenport University for allowing me the opportunity to help them build a program at a great university,” said Kimble. “I am excited to start a new chapter in my coaching career and the new challenge of working with the student-athletes at Davenport University and helping build a great NCAA Division II program.”

Kimble coached the Holland Christian boys swim team from 1980-89, leading the Maroons to three conference titles and two state titles. He coached the Holland Christian girls from 1983-87 and won four conference titles. He then moved to Holland High School in 2002 leading the boys and girls programs to a pair of state championships, including the first in girls school history. That team also was the most dominant swim team in state history, becoming the only team in Michigan to ever finish first or second in every swimming event at the state meet.