AUSTIN, Texas – Texas head men’s swimming and diving coach Eddie Reese announced Tuesday the hiring of Wyatt Collins to his staff as an assistant men’s swimming and diving coach. Collins, a former UT volunteer coach who has begun his full-time duties at Texas, replaces associate head coach Kris Kubik, who announced his retirement last month after serving 34 distinguished seasons on Reese’s staff.
“Wyatt did outstanding work as our volunteer coach the last three years,” Reese said. “He has an excellent mind as a swimming technician, has built an excellent rapport with our team and has been an important part of our recent success. Wyatt deserves this opportunity, and I’m happy to have he and (diving coach) Matt Scoggin on my staff.”
Collins earns a promotion to assistant men’s swimming and diving coach after serving as a volunteer coach for the last three seasons with the Longhorns. Collins joined Reese and Kubik to lead UT to a NCAA runner-up finish in 2014 and NCAA titles in 2015 and 2016.
“Eddie has been a coach that I have looked up to, a colleague from whom I have learned a lot and a friend who has always supported me during my time at UT,” Collins said. “It truly is an honor and a dream come true to continue working with him and to represent this great University and amazing program together.”
Under the tutelage of Reese and Kubik, Collins assisted in creating and supervising workouts, aided with on-campus recruiting, handled meet entries and planned team travel. Collins also has served as a coach during summertime Longhorns swimming camps, where he provided video analysis and stroke mechanic corrections.
Collins served as an age group coach with Nitro Swimming in 2013 before assuming his duties as a volunteer coach in advance of the 2013-14 season.
Collins swam two seasons at Boston University (2008-10) before transferring to Texas and competing for one season with the Longhorns (2011-12). A two-time member of the Athletics Director’s Honor Roll at UT, Collins earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Texas in 2013.
The affable Kris Kubik announced his retirement on July 18 after contributing 34 seasons of exemplary service under Reese. The Reese-Kubik tandem yielded 12 NCAA team titles and nine NCAA runner-up finishes. In Kubik’s 34 seasons with Reese, Texas posted 26 NCAA top-three finishes and 32 NCAA top-five team showings.
“Whether he is coaching on deck or officiating weddings for former Texas swimmers, Kris Kubik is truly one of a kind,” Collins said. “He has meant more to this program than words can describe. There is, without question, no combination of people who could replace him.
“Over the last couple of years, Kris really mentored me and guided me through a lot, whether it was on deck or in my personal life. Although we won’t be on deck together anymore, I genuinely cherish the time he gave to me and this program, and I look forward to his continued support.”
Press release courtesy of Texas Men’s Swimming & Diving.