Sept. 25, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State swimming and diving program has announced the addition of assistant swim coach Patrick Nalley, who becomes the fifth and final member of head coach Tim Murphy's staff.
"We are extremely excited to add Patrick Nalley as the last member of our staff," said Murphy. "He brings 12 years of coaching experience and a comprehensive resume that includes three years at Arizona State University, working with sprinters, stroke, and distance groups which included NCAA finalists. Most recently Patrick has served as the head coach of Sun Devil Aquatics, which included placing athletes on multiple national junior teams."
Nalley joins the Nittany Lions after spending seven years in Tempe, Ariz., coaching various programs. Most recently, he was the head coach of Sun Devil Aquatics for a four year stint. In that role, Nalley was in charge of the National Training Group, which is the program's most elite and competitive group, featuring nationally ranked athletes that represent their countries at international competitions. The coach is ready to get things started at Penn State.
"I came to Penn State because I knew that if I ever went back into college coaching that it would have to be for a highly respected academic institution with a competitive athletic department that is committed to the overall development of the kids and Penn State under the direction of Tim Murphy is exactly what I was looking for," stated Nalley.
Prior to his time with Sun Devil Aquatics, Nalley served as an assistant coach with Arizona State swimming and diving from 2007-10. As a Sun Devil, Nalley conducted daily workouts with the sprint group, breaststrokers and the individual medley swimmers. Nalley also assisted in recruiting in his three years at ASU.
"I want to make sure that these student athletes leave PSU with a positive experience with the team and the sport of swimming but also with the education and tools it takes to be successful in their adult lives," said Nalley.
The new assistant coach graduated Cum Laude from Arizona State in 2010 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. Nalley grew up swimming in Fort Wayne, Ind. and collegiately for the University of Kentucky.