Kentucky head swimming and diving coach Gary Conelly has retired from his position after 22 years leading the Wildcats, he told the team Wednesday morning. Lars Jorgensen has been named the interim head coach while the university opens the position up to the public.
“When I came to UK in 1988 I was a graduate assistant in athletics and in the English department,” Conelly said. “I thought I was going to move into teaching, but in one of those twists and turns of life, it turned into coaching. That has worked out well in so many different levels, for me, family, my children. Lexington is a great town and a great place to raise children. It couldn’t have worked out any better.”
Conelly took the job after the 1991-1992 season, following three seasons as an assistant with the Wildcats. As a swimmer, he was a 1972 US Olympian where he was part of the World Record setting 400 free relay.
At least on an interim basis, he will be replaced by Jorgensen, a fellow U.S. Olympian, who was brought in this year as an assistant. Jorgensen was the man tasked with taking over the Tennessee men’s program for half-a-season in 2012 when John Trembley was removed from his duties amid controversy.
Conelly’s time with the Wildcats saw ups and downs athletically, but academically they excelled. That includes their women having a cumulative GPA of 3.48 for the fall semester, which ranked them 12th in the nation.
As recently as the 2006-2007 season, Conelly lead his women’s team to an SEC title in the 200 free relay – the program’s first ever SEC relay title. In 2009, the Wildcats earned All-American honors for 7 athletes. He also recently lead sprint freestyler Tyler Reed to a spot on the 2012 Short Course World Championships team.
The Wildcats of 2013 sent two sophomores to the NCAA Championships: one diver (Christa Cabot) and one swimmer (butterflier Tina Bechtel) but walked away with no points. The men’s team sent two divers, both juniors, in Greg Ferrucci and John Fox, who ended up lifting the team to a 22nd-place finish with 45 points. At SEC’s, their women and men both placed 9th.
Jorgensen, the new interim coach, was brought in prior to last season. He was the man tasked with taking over the Tennessee men’s program for a semester in 2012 after the controversial end to John Trembley’s career, and has previous experience as the head coach of the Toledo women’s program. The position has been opened to the public, as is mandated by employment equal opportunity rules.
If we could only press rewind and put Gary in jail before he let Lars in.
Good luck to Lars. I’m surprised we were able to get him away from UT.
Aaron Workman would be a great choice. He’s had plenty of experience and has produced at UNLV, Kentucky, and Penn State.
Two ranked recruiting classes as an Assistant at Pitt, too
The 200 Free Relay SEC title form 2006/2007 is credited to Shaun Zitani, the Sprint Group Coach at the time.
Both are strong candidates but don’t overlook Aaron Workman from PSU. UK grad, young coach, done impressive things above the Mason Dixon Line (Back to back top 8 Medley relays, back to back Big 10 Champs in the Sprint Free events on the Women’s side, not too shabby on the Men’s side either w/Grier & Shane Ryan). Would be a compelling choice if he’s interested in bringing his talents back to the SEC.
Lars is the man. Hell of a tennis player too.
Great hire!
Agreed. Lars is a proven winner and he would be a great choice to lead UK.