McGee Moody, the oldest coach in the history of swimming and diving at the University of South Carolina Gamecock, will no longer lead the program, Athletics Directory Ray Tanner announced. The decision was a mutual agreement between Moody and the athletics department.
“I appreciate McGee’s many contributions to our swim and dive program,” said Tanner. “McGee’s passion and commitment helped drive Gamecock swimming to some of our best NCAA results in school history. We wish McGee and her family all the best in their future endeavors. “
Moody leaves the Gamecock swimming programs with 143 career wins for men and women, the most any Carolina coach in history, and a percentage of 53.7 wins. Carolina had 74 All-Americans and 48 All-SEC players in her 14 seasons as head coach. His program also produced three Olympic athletes during his tenure – Akram Mahmoud and Julia Vincent in 2016 and Sharntelle McLean In 2008.
“The past year has been difficult for everyone … athletes, coaches and administrators. We put everything in last season, ”said McGee Moody. “In recent years, I have not been satisfied with our results at the SEC level. I believe that trying to dedicate myself more to this work will affect my family, my health and these are things that I am not ready to sacrifice. Therefore, we believe that now is the right time to step back and give someone the honor of leading the program. I am grateful to Ray Tanner and Chance Miller for the opportunity to lead such a prestigious program, and I look forward to following your success in the future. “
Moody directed men to an overall record of 66-60 and a 77-63 mark on the female side. The men’s team won the team’s top 10 matches under Moody in 2010-11, while women won the record for nine wins in 2014-15.
Gamecock men finished in the Top 25 in the NCAA men’s championships four times – 15th in 2017, 17th in 2016 and 2018 and 19th in 2015. Gamecock women finished in the Top 25 in the NCAA women’s championships twice – 20th in 2018 and 21st in 2019.
Moody trained the SEC’s first female swimming champion, Amanda Rutqvist in the 200 breaststroke in 2011. Rutqvist was the first female swimming champion in South Carolina since 1986.
At the ultra-competitive Southeast Conference, Moody took the men’s teams to four finals in seventh place and the women’s team to a sixth place in 2011. The SEC had an average of seven men’s and six women’s teams in the NCAA Top 25 each year for Moody’s term in office. Carolina.
For 11 consecutive semesters, Gamecock’s male and female swim and dive teams have received honors from the CSCAA Scholar All-America, having achieved a cumulative team of 3.0 GPA or more each year.
Before coming to Carolina, Moody was the chief swimming coach for William & Mary for three seasons and was the coach of the year for the Colonial Athletic Association in 2007.
Before becoming head coach, Moody spent four seasons as an assistant swim coach at the United States Naval Academy from 2001 to 2004.
McGee Moody started as a trainer at his alma mater, East Carolina University, where he was the best assistant swimming coach for men and women from 1996-2000. While working on almost every facet of the program in East Carolina, Moody trained more than 25 university record holders.
Formed in 1998 by East Carolina, Moody swam on the Pirates team for four seasons, setting several freshman records and captaining the team in his junior and senior years. Moody was also qualified for the Olympic 200 freestyle tryouts in 1992.
A national search for a new swim and diving coach for the Gamecocks will begin immediately.
– The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with South Carolina Swimming & Diving. For press releases and advertising inquiries, please contact [email protected].