Earlier today, University of Miami head coach Andy Kershaw announced the Hurricanes have hired Kelley McCallum to be their assistant swimming coach. After spending the past two years as an assistant for the Colorado State Rams, McCallum will join Kershaw (also in his first year with the program) in an effort to push a thin-but-talented Hurricane squad up the ladder at the ACC Championships, where they finished sixth a year ago.
Prior to entering the coaching world, McCallum was a four-year competitor for the University of Georgia while studying child and family development, helping the Bulldogs earn team titles at both the 2005 NCAA and 2006 SEC Championships. She served as the masters coach during the following season (2007-08), but also coached at the youth level (with the Atlanta Athletic Club and Riverwood High School) before her move to CSU.
“Kelley is one of the best young coaches out there, and has proven that in the position she was in at Colorado State,” Kershaw said of his new assistant in a press release from HurricaneSports.com. “She has some great mentors amongst the swimming community that spoke very highly of her. She was also part of a national championship team, and really has the necessary experience as both an athlete and coach.”
It’s hard to argue with Kershaw; during her first season at Colorado State (2011-12), the Rams posted a program-record five NCAA “B” cut times and broke four team records, putting seven athletes on the Mountain West All-Conference team in the process. All in all, the Rams posted almost 90% best times.
“It’s really important for a coaching staff to be on the same page, and that’s exactly what I felt with Andy,” McCallum said on HurricaneSports.com. “It’s a beautiful location and a fully-funded program, which are both incredible. I know the department is trying to make some upgrades – not just swimming, but across the board – which is exciting for me to see. I can’t wait to get started.”
As a fully funded program with a solid facility, coaching staff, and prime weather, the Hurricanes should be a team on the rise. McCallum and Kershaw inherit a team headlined by ACC Champion and NCAA qualifier Lucy Worrall, as well as one of the nation’s top diving programs. We’ll get our first glimpse at the Hurricanes under their new staff at the three-day All-Florida Invite in Gainesville at the end of the month (9/27-9/29).
Go get’em Andy! Go Canes!