The LA Current announced David Marsh has been named head coach for the 2019 inaugural season of the International Swim League. Marsh brings over 40 years of experience coaching and competing in the sport of swimming. Also announced were the additions of assistant coaches Brett Hawke and Jack Roach, who each bring their own impressive pedigrees to the Current.
LA Current General Manager, Lenny Krayzelburg foresees the coaching staff making an immediate impact this season.
“I am thrilled to be able to bring together such an accomplished and respected coaching staff to LA Current,” said Krayzelburg. “With David, Brett and Jack we have the best of the best who have achieved continued success at the highest level of our sport.
“ISL’s vision is to have best athletes in the world competing in a team centric concept. Our coaching staff thrives in maximizing potential of world class athletes, in addition to having tremendous success, experience and knowledge of team competitions. I am looking forward having this coaching group lead LA Current to league championship this season.”
David Marsh brings an impressive resume with both Olympic and collegiate coaching experience, including serving as an assistant coach on the 2000 United States Olympic staff where Krayzelburg was competing. Marsh is looking forward to coaching in the inaugural season of the new league and sees firsthand the influence it can have on swimming across the globe. “The concept of the ISL has amazing potential to impact for the future of professional swimming, clean sport, and audience experience,” said Marsh. “Our LA Current team is comprised of quality people and amazing swimmers. We certainly have the potential to be a contender for the league championship. Let’s get racing!”
Assistant coach Brett Hawke also sees an exciting 2019 season ahead for the LA Current, “I’m honored to be working for the LA current under extraordinary leaders and champions like Lenny Krayzelburg and David Marsh. This is new and exciting for all involved and I can’t wait to get the racing starting. We have built a formidable team and will be ultra-competitive. Thank you to the ISL for this incredible opportunity, it’s a fun time to be a professional swimmer.”
Gregg Troy and Cyndi Gallagher have also been announced as head coaches of the American teams in the International Swim League this fall with Troy leading the Cali Condors and Gallagher leading the DC Trident.
Swimming World’s Craig Lord sat down with Krayzelburg and NY Breakers general manager Tina Andrew at the ASCA World Clinic in Dallas earlier this month to talk about the importance of the ISL.
DAVID MARSH
David Marsh; Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
David Marsh has had success at all levels of the sport including his latest tenure with the University California San Diego swimming team. From 1990-2017, he coached his alma-mater, Auburn University, to 12 NCAA titles which is the most in any sport at the collegiate level and added nine national coach of the year awards to his resume. In 2016, Marsh led the U.S. Women’s Olympic team to 16 medals at the Rio Olympics: eight gold, four silver, and four bronze medals. He also spent a decade as the CEO and Director of Coaching of SwimMAC where Marsh established and coached Team Elite, which has produced 14 Olympians, 38 USA swimming national champions, and 27 junior national champions during his tenure with the team. At SwimMAC, he was named Swimming’s developmental Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2014. LA Current General Manager, Lenny Krayzelburg, and Marsh first worked together in 2000 where Marsh served as an assistant coach for the Olympics staff while Krayzelburg was competing.
BRETT HAWKE
Photo Courtesy: Andy Ringgold / Aringo Photos
Brett Hawke is a former Olympian, Olympic coach for Brazil, and national champion head coach at Auburn University. Hawke spent a decade as the Auburn coach following the footsteps of David Marsh. Hawke also swam for Marsh during 1996-2000 where they won two national championships together. Under Hawke’s watch, the program produced 11 NCAA individual champions, 64 individual SEC titles, and 438 All-America honors. Marsh has his own swimming resume as a five-time Australian Champion and Olympic competitor where he placed top 10 in the 2004 games in Athens.
JACK ROACH:
Photo Courtesy: Singapore Swimming Federation
Jack Roach is the Director of Coach and Athlete Development at Tide Swimming. He joined Tide full-time in 2017, which features a swim school and competition teams for all ages. Roach brings over 35 years of coaching experience at every level of swimming: club, college, USA National, USA National Junior, and USA Olympic teams in 2008, 2012, and 2016. Roach spent a decade with the University of Texas Women’s team where they won two NCAA titles. Roach coached the Mexico National Team from 2003-2008 and served as the National Junior Team Program Director of USA Swimming and aided the US Olympic teams during the three games he was a part of.
LA Current Women’s Roster
- Kathleen Baker, USA
- Amy Bilquist, USA
- Jhennifer Conceicao, BRA
- Ella Eastin, USA
- Beryl Gastadello, FRA
- Margo Geer, USA
- Annie Lazor, USA
- Katie McLaughlin, USA
- Andi Murez, ISR
- Farida Osman, EGY
- Leah Smith, USA
- Kendyl Stewart, USA
- Aly Tetzloff, USA
LA Current Men’s Roster
- Nathan Adrian, USA
- Michael Chadwick, USA
- Dylan Carter, TTO
- Jack Conger, USA
- Matt Grevers, USA
- Ryan Held, USA
- Chase Kalisz, USA
- Will Licon, USA
- Felipe Lima, BRA
- Ryan Murphy, USA
- Blake Pieroni, USA
- Josh Prenot, USA
- Andrew Seliskar, USA
- Tom Shields, USA
— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with the LA Current. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.
