By Mark Ambrogi
It isn’t easy for Ian Murray to leave his position as associate head coach for Carmel Swim Club.
“I’m dealing with some very bittersweet emotions,” Murray said. “I’ve been part of Carmel Swim Club for 11 years now, and it’s truly been some of the best years of my life. My family was started here and we’re very at home in Carmel. We love this community and we love all it’s done for us. So we’re sad to be leaving, but at the same time we’re real excited about the next opportunity for us and the challenges that it brings.”
Murray, 39, has been named the head coach of the Dynamo Swim Club, which is on the north side of Atlanta.
“It’s operating two competitive sites and another six sites for learn-to-swim and various other non-competitive programming,” Murray said.
Dynamo has about 900 competitors, approximately twice the number of Carmel’s program.
Although it isn’t easy to leave, the choice to take the job wasn’t difficult, Murray said.
“It’s an organization that shares common core values and a common teaching philosophy,” Murray said. “From the performance side, it’s similar to where Carmel is. I’ve had the privilege of working under head coach and CEO Chris Plumb for the past 11 years and he’s been a terrific mentor to me and allowed me to grow as a person and as a coach. This opportunity is a direct result of that leadership for me, so I’m excited to go out there and lead on my own.”
Plumb, who is head coach of the Carmel High School boys and girls swim teams, said in a release to the members that Murray’s contribution was essential to the club’s success.
“Fellow coaches recognize him for his professionalism, thoughtfulness, swimming expertise and work ethic,” Plumb stated. “His swimmers saw him as a caring coach who valued them both as people and as athletes. He demanded the most from himself and the people he worked with. It is difficult when excellent coaches leave the program.”
Yet Plumb is confident the staff will continue to thrive.
“When opportunity comes along for our staff members, we encourage them to do so,” Plumb said. “The fact that they are sought-after speaks to the powerful culture we continue to foster. We will delegate his duties to other full-time staff members. We have confidence that the staff is ready and willing to handle Ian’s responsibilities.”
Murray and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, Aaron, 5, and Ainsley, 2.
