Terry Jones Leaving Magnolia Aquatic Club for Position with USA Swimming

Magnolia Aquatic Club head coach and CEO Terry Jones will leave the club that he founded in 2003 for a position at with USA Swimming at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Jones announced the move to his team, but declined to elaborate on what his new position is. USA Swimming promised an expansion to its high performance group when Russell Mark was pushed out in November.

“It has always been a dream of mine, but I never thought it would actually happen,” Jones said when announcing the move.

“I will be transitioning from my position here to a new job with USA Swimming over the next few months. We will have a plan in place and exciting opportunities for the future of MAC and all of our families. This decision didn’t come easy and after being here for 21 years, 18 years with MAC, that started in 2003, I felt it was time. A new vision and leadership is a positive thing and it will only help MAC to become a better and stronger program in the future.

“I love and appreciate everyone that has ever been a part of this program and taking this incredible journey with me. I am humbled to have been a part of MAC from its conception. I have seen it go through some tough and wonderful times over the years and I wouldn’t change it for anything. MAC will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you all!”

Located in Magnolia, Texas, a small town in suburban Houston that is experiencing rapid population growth, the club has turned out multiple USA Swimming National Team members.

MAC finished 3rd at Speedo Summer Junior Nationals in 2016 for women, second at the 2017 Winter Junior National – West meet in the women’s competition, and 3rd in combined team finish at the 2017 Speedo Summer Junior Nationals.

The club was first recognized as a USA Swimming silver medal club in 2012. By 2015, it was a bronze medal club, and in 2018 and 2019, the club achieved Gold Medal Club status in the USA Swimming Club Excellence Program – the top tier reserved for about 20 or 25 of the best American club teams every year.

Jones himself served on the U.S. coaching staff for the 2016 Junior Pan Pac Championships.

The program’s best-known alumni are sisters Lillie and Lucie Nordmann, who are both currently members of the women’s team at Stanford University. Lillie is a former member of the USA Swimming National Team.

Another standout among many NCAA swimmers from the program includes Michigan All-American Kaitlynn Sims.

Those three combined with Monica Gumina (Queens) to set a National Age Group Record in the 800 free relay in 2017 for the 15-18 age group. MAC swimmer Dean Jones also broke the 11-12 National Age Group Records in both the 200 yard and 200 meter butterflies in 2018.