Rory C. Coleman, a former All-New England peformer at Keene State and head coach Morningside College in Iowa for two seasons, was hired as the first-ever full-time assistant swimming coach in University of Delaware history Sept. 29, 2005.
Coleman, 31, assists veteran head coach John Hayman with both the men’s and women’s program and serves as the Blue Hens’ primary recruiter. He will begin his fourth season on the UD staff in 2008-09. He played a key role in Delaware's third place finish at the 2008 Colonial Athletic Association Championships in February, the highest finish ever by the UD men.
Coleman, a native of Fostoria, OH, attended the University of Findlay (OH) where he competed in swimming and club water polo before transferring to NCAA Division III Keene (NH) State College. While at Keene, Coleman earned All-New England honors as a backstroke specialist. He set six school records and still holds those marks in the 50 backstroke (25.41), 100 backstroke (55.57), 100 individual medley (55.38), 200 freestyle relay (1:31.0), 200 medley relay (1:41.3), and 400 medley relay (3:436). He earned his degree in social science from Keene in 2000.
He served one year as admissions counselor, resident director, and coordinator of Greek Life at Thiel College in Greenville, PA before beginning his coaching career at Loras College in Dubuque, IA. He served as graduate assistant swimming and diving coach and was an adjunct faculty member in 2001-02. He coordinated recruiting efforts, assisted in the management of facilities, and taught aquatic classes in the physical education department. He is working to finish his master’s degree in physical education and athletics administration from Loras.
He moved on to NAIA member Morningside College in Sioux City, IA in December, 2002 where he started the men’s and women’s swimming and programs in 2003-04. The women’s team went 2-3 in duals and placed fifth at the Central States Conference and 11th at the NAIA national championships in 2004-05 and posted an 0-7 dual mark, was seventh at the Liberal Arts Conference championships, and 13th at the NAIA championships in 2004-05.
The men’s team, which did not compete in an official season in 2003-04, began action in 2004-05 and went 0-7 in duals, placed 11th at the Liberal Arts Conference meet, and placed 11th at the NAIA championships.
While at Morningside, he also served as aquatics director, managed the aquatics facility, trained lifeguards, co-directed the Morningside College All-Sports Camp, and coordinated team fund-raising efforts.
Assistant Coach Rory Coleman