North Florida Swim Coach Ian Coffey Departs After 12 Seasons

The Ospreys' head swim coach received a contract extension in 2014 but is now leaving the program.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 8:03pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic energy of a college swim meet, with overlapping planes of navy, teal, and white representing the fractured nature of the program's coaching transition.The abrupt departure of long-time North Florida swim coach Ian Coffey leaves the program's future in flux as it searches for new leadership.Today in Jacksonville

The University of North Florida has announced that it is parting ways with head swim coach Ian Coffey after 12 seasons leading the women's program. Coffey, who received a three-year contract extension in 2014, is departing the Ospreys despite the team breaking seven school records and producing the program's first All-ASUN selection last season.

Why it matters

Coffey's departure comes as a surprise, as he had been with the program since the 2015-2016 season and recently signed a contract extension. His exit raises questions about the direction of the UNF swimming program and the reasons behind the university's decision to part ways with the long-time head coach.

The details

Under Coffey's leadership, the Ospreys finished 6th out of 9 teams at the 2026 ASUN Championships, one spot lower than the previous year. However, the team had better season-best times in 10 NCAA Championship events, including 2 out of 5 relays. Rising senior Kayla Daley earned the program's first All-ASUN selection, finishing 3rd in the 100 fly.

  • Coffey took over the UNF program in the 2015-2016 season.
  • In 2014, Coffey signed a three-year contract extension that was set to run through June 2027.
  • The Ospreys finished 6th out of 9 teams at the 2026 ASUN Championships.

The players

Ian Coffey

The former head swim coach of the University of North Florida women's program, who led the Ospreys for 12 seasons before parting ways with the university.

Nick Morrow

The Athletics Director at the University of North Florida, who announced the 'change in swimming leadership' and Coffey's departure from the program.

Kayla Daley

A rising senior swimmer for the Ospreys, who earned the program's first-ever All-ASUN selection after finishing 3rd in the 100 fly at the 2026 ASUN Championships.

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What they’re saying

“We thank Coach Coffey for his years of dedication to our Swimming student-athletes and program. Ian has always been a great colleague and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

— Nick Morrow, Athletics Director, University of North Florida

What’s next

UNF says that they have launched a national search for Coffey's replacement as the head coach of the women's swimming program.

The takeaway

Coffey's departure from the UNF swim program after 12 seasons, including a recent contract extension, highlights the unpredictable nature of college coaching tenures and the importance of consistent leadership for a program's long-term success and development of student-athletes.