As students prepare to resume classes for the fall semester on Wednesday at NC State, the men’s and women’s swimming and diving program will be jumping back into the hiring pool after the resignation of assistant coach Mallory Houchin.
Houchin announced her decision via Instagram on Monday afternoon, saying:
“After 10 years in college swimming, I have decided to put my coaching career aside to spend more time with my kids and family. I can’t put into words how much NC State and coaching has meant to me over the last 7 years, but I can tell you it was an incredibly hard decision to make. I will miss this team and the profession, but I’m very excited for this next chapter for me and my family! We will never be far from the pool deck and will always cheer for The PACK!!”
Houchin joined the NC State staff as an assistant in August of 2011 and worked primarily with middle distance and stroke training. She also “focuses on women’s recruiting and provides a mentoring role for the women’s squad,” according to her official bio.
Prior to joining NC State, Houchin served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator in 2010-2011 in the inaugural season for Queens University swimming, are now the four-time defending NCAA Division II Champions in both men’s and women’s swimming.
Houchin also served as an assistant at the now-defunct Clemson program from 2008-2010, where she coached mid-distance and butterfly; in 2008 she was an intern with Club Wolverine, and in 2007, she was an intern as a race analyst and administrator for the USOC. As an athlete, she swam at YOTA in North Carolina and George Mason University.
Houchin, the only female coach on NC State’s staff before her resignation, is the sister-in-law of former US National Teamer Charlie Houchin.
NC State has had to make quite a few hires in the last 2 years after several seasons of stability in their staff. Already this off-season, they’ve hired Mark Bernardino to replace Gary Taylor, who left to take over as the head coach at Auburn; along with hiring Brandt Nigro to replace Todd DeSorbo last off-season when DeSorbo took over as head coach at Virginia.
The NC State men have won the last 4 ACC titles in swimming and placed 4th at NCAAs in each of the last 3 seasons. The NC State women were ACC champions in 2017, and had back-to-back NCAA top 10 finishes in 2016 and 2017 until a run of injuries last year left them 3rd in the conference and 18th in the country.
Update: After publishing of this article, NC State sent out thoughts from head coach Braden Holloway and a letter to the “Wolfpack Family” from Houchin.
Holloway’s thoughts:
“It is with much happiness that I inform the Wolfpack Nation of Mallory Houchin‘s decision to be a full-time mom. We are so happy for her, as we know she now begins her biggest and most rewarding job and journey. But, we are sad to see her leave our program, as she has been with us every step of the way on this amazing turnaround and transformation for this program. She has been the rock for me and by my side for seven years. I thank her for her huge role with our teams, as we could not have accomplished our goals and achievements without her guidance. She is such a quality person, coach, friend, and now mother, and I am glad she recognized her calling for her children and family. Please join me and the staff on congratulating Mallory on her next big chapter in life!”
From Houchin:
Wolfpack Family,
It is with extremely mixed emotions that I announce my decision to take a break from coaching to spend time at home with my family. For the last seven years, I have been fortunate to have one of the BEST jobs, with the most talented team in the NCAA and the hardest working staff in the country. For the last three years, I have been extremely lucky to be a mom, which is a huge blessing and an AMAZING job in itself! Staying at home was not something I saw myself doing before having kids. However, the desire has been growing ever since I had Calvin. I cannot ignore my heart’s longing to be home with my kids anymore.
The last few weeks have been very challenging as my husband and I looked into what staying at home will look like. The hardest part is leaving an incredible job that I am so lucky to have and a career that many coaches dream of. It is painful to leave a coaching staff that has been so supportive of me as a mother, and especially the athletes that I have had the privilege to work with. There is no doubt that I have the perfect job! I can tell you this decision did not come quickly, easily, or without tears.
I want to thank all of the Wolfpack Nation for the opportunity to walk beside you on this transformative journey over the last seven years. It has been a JOY to work with you! I never felt like I had a “job” – everyday was a blast! I love NC State, and I will ALWAYS cheer for the Pack.
Though I am sad to be leaving, I am very excited for the next chapter in my life, and I hope you will still be part of it! I am not leaving Raleigh. I will still be around for support. You all have been part of my family from day one, and I couldn’t be more thankful for you.
I love you all dearly and wish nothing but the best. I know you will be in great hands, as you have an incredible leader and the best staff in the nation. Thank you for everything you have done for me and my family. We will always be cheering for the Pack!
Much love,
Mal
No one dies wishing they spent less time with their family. I am not a coach, but I also did not imagine myself not working. I recently went back part time after 8 years “working”/driving 3 kids back and forth to swim practices. I am working really hard for you and others like us to hopefully encourage more employers to consider the powerful part time work force that could be available to them.
So difficult but so very worthwhile. You won’t regret more time with your young family, and coaching will always be a part of your life.
Sad for the PACK but so so happy for your family. You are leaving some big shoes to fill!
The number of women coaches in NCAA division 1 swimming just keeps getting smaller and smaller
Smart woman. College coaching is brutal. Underpaid and under appreciated- the sacrifices these coaches make are rarely worth the cost in terms of time away from family and any type of life outside the pool deck.
Congratulations, Mallory and family. You were a valuable member of the Wolfpack success. You made a lasting impression on me and my family and we wish you the best in the next phase of your life.
Congratulations on a great career, the swimming world will be less without you.