ColinFaris

Continuing to fill out his coaching staff, Kentucky swimming & diving head coach Bret Lundgaard announced the hiring of former Wildcat swimmer Colin Faris to the role of Assistant Coach on Aug. 11, 2023.

“Colin is the perfect coach for what we are building,” Lundgaard said. “He is an alum of the program who bleeds blue and has the passion and vision to help take this program to its greatest heights. Colin has the special experience of swimming and coaching at a high level, both club and collegiately, in Kentucky and the southeast region. I know our Wildcat student-athletes will love his energy and commitment to growth, and he will be an amazing asset toward building excellent relationships with our alums.”

Faris swam at the University of Kentucky from 2007-2011, where he was a team captain his senior season. At UK, Faris was a part of the 200-yard freestyle relay at the 2009 NCAA Championships and qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 50-meter freestyle. Faris brings more than 10 years of coaching experience, most recently as a Volunteer Assistant Coach at Louisville and a Senior/National Coach with Cardinal Aquatics. With the Cardinals, Faris worked with multiple NCAA qualifiers and All-Americans. Prior to Louisville, Faris worked at Excel Aquatics as an associate head coach where he coached multiple USA Swimming top 20 nationally ranked swimmers, Speedo Junior National qualifiers, and USA Futures qualifiers. During this time, Faris also served as the head swimming coach at Centennial High School in Tennessee. Locally, Faris has previous experience as a coach with the Lexington Dolphins, at Centre College, Idle Hour Country Club and Henry Clay High School.

“Returning to Kentucky as an assistant coach feels like coming home,” Faris said. “I’m excited to share my passion for the sport and help the next generation of athletes succeed both in and out of the water.”