CLEVELAND – An exhaustive search came to a conclusion on Friday, July 30, as Delta State University director of athletics Jeremy McClain named Dan'l Murray head coach of the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen Swimming and Diving team. Murray will take the reins of the program immediately.

“When we began the process of looking for the next head coach of our swimming and diving program, I wanted to find a candidate with the leadership, integrity and vision to take the program forward,” McClain stated. “Coach Murray has all these qualities and I believe he is the right man for the job.”

Murray has served the past five years as head coach of the Delta Aquatic Club, an age group program based in Cleveland. During his tenure as DAC head coach, Murray has guided the program through a major growth spurt that includes two satellite programs in Greenville and Tunica, while increasing participation from 50 swimmers in 2005 to over 200 today.

“I'm excited about the opportunity to serve as Delta State's next head Swimming and Diving coach,” Murray stated. “The chance to coach one of the nation's top NCAA Division II programs doesn't come along every day and I'm thankful to Jeremy McClain for his belief in my abilities to run the program.”

Murray's coaching acumen is without question. The Greensboro, N.C. native has coached numerous state champions, state record holders and high school champions during his tenure as an age group coach. Current Lady Statesmen and NCAA All-American Alyce Meador was a member of DAC during Murray's first two years in the Delta.

“I know how to grow a program and I want to take the same passion that grew DAC into one of the state's top organizations and lead Delta State Swimming and Diving into the future,” Murray added. “We have one of the top facilities in the nation and we'll use it and our work ethic to bring championships back to Cleveland.”

He began his career 13 years ago as a summer league coach before moving into USA Swimming 10 years ago. A member of USA Swimming since 2003, Murray has guided the Mississippi All-Star Zone Team for the past four seasons as head coach.

Murray won't be giving up the reins of the Delta Aquatic Club either. The veteran age-group coach will continue to lead DAC in the same way legendary former DSU head coach Ronnie Mayers did for over 30 years.

“We all owe a lot to coach Mayers' legacy here, not only as a collegiate coach, but to the foundation he has laid for swimming in Mississippi,” Murray said.

During Murray's time in Cleveland, he has served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen, while helping coach Mayers, DSU's director of Aquatics, on a volunteer level with meet management and coordination of events.

“In the next couple of weeks, I hope to have my staff finalized and prepared to start the year,” Murray stated. “We have a great nucleus of talent coming back to the team and I believe we will accomplish some great things this coming year.”

THE MURRAY FILE
- Native of Greensboro, N.C.
- ASCA rated coach
- Served as head coach/Green Valley Park Summer League Team (2002-2005)
- Advisory Board Member, Greensboro Aquatic Center (2009-Present)
- Coaches Representative for Mississippi Swimming (2007, 2008)
- Technical Planning Chair for Mississippi Swimming (2009)
- Mississippi Zone Coaching Staff (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
- 10 years coaching experience (Summer League and USA Swimming)
- 11 years swimming experience
- Captain Page High School Swim Team (Greensboro, NC)
- LSC NC State Champion