SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Former assistant Matt Paige has been named the Head Coach of the St. Francis swimming team, Athletics Director Mark McGreevy announced.
"Coach Paige has made quite an impression on me during his time at SF," said McGreevy. "I've been impressed not only with his expertise in developing highly competitive swimmers but more importantly in his capacity to use the sport as context to build confidence and character in all of his athletes regardless of their skill level."
Paige originally joined the staff in 2015 under then head coach Richard Levin and will be in his sixth season overall working with the Troubadours.
"He made a great impression on the selection committee as well and we're confident in Matt we have the right coach to build on the great tradition of Troubie Swim and to do so with a mission-centered approach," said McGreevy. "I feel there is no limits as to where this program can go under his leadership and we're excited for the upcoming season."
He has been the Senior Coach with the Spare Time Aquatics Sharks (STAS) since March 2015, coaching swimmers that have qualified for World Championship Trials, Nationals, Junior Nationals, Futures and Sectionals. His swimmers have broken three Sierra Nevada LSC league records during his tenure and recently qualified a swimmer (Kristina Murphy) for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
"I would like to thank Coach Levin for his tenure running the Troubadours, as well as Mark McGreevy for the opportunity to be at the helm of this storied program," said Paige. "I am eagerly looking forward to the chance to put my own spin on the St. Francis swim team as well as build on the groundwork laid by my predecessors. Go Troubies!"
Paige also worked with the Arden Hill Otters from 2009-12, serving as the Head Coach from 2010-12
Paige was a Junior National qualifier and two-time Sac-Joaquin Section champion for Rio Americano High School, graduating in 2006. He swam collegiately at UC Irvine, scoring points in the in the 500-, 1000- and 1650-freestyle events and helping lead the team to the 2007 Big West Conference Championship. During his competitive swimming career at Arden Hills (1994-06), he was High Point at the Junior Olympics and ranked among the top 16 in the nation numerous times.
