DAM Names New Head Coach!

Welcome Matt Zachan

   The DAM Board of Directors and the Head Coach Search Committee are pleased to announce that Matt Zachan has been named our new Head Coach. Matt will begin his tenure on July 15. Matt will be the ninth Head Coach in DAM's storied 48 year history.

   We are very excited to bring Matt on board. Matt has been a DAM member for a year, so he's familiar with many of the inner workings of our team. He'll bring that knowledge and his previous professional experience, along with a tremendous new energy and leadership, to an already amazing team. 

   Matt was born and raised in the Clayton (CA) area. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Chico State University, and a Master's Degree in Teaching from National Louis University. He was an Assistant Coach for 3 years with Dynamo Swim Club in Atlanta, GA, a USA Swimming "Gold Medal" club. He was also an Assistant Coach for 7 years at New Trier Swim Club in Chicago, a USA Swimming "Silver Medal" club. 

   Matt and his family moved to Davis in June, 2021. Matt's wife Gretchen was born in Illinois and raised in Davis. Together, they have 2 children: Sam (3) and Theo (1). 

   Matt joined DAM shortly after moving to Davis, and swims at Arroyo. He has competed (and won events) for DAM at the 2021 Summer Splash and the 2022 Berryessa Swim. He is a DAM Second Guard and Berryessa Volunteer. 

   The Search Committee, in its recommendation to the Board, said Matt is a "calm and confident coach with good technical knowledge of swimming. He is sincere and is a good communicator, and genuinely cares about swimmers and wants to help them achieve their goals. He recognizes the need to learn and grow, and creates effective workouts to help swimmers do just that. He has experience running a large swim club, and comes with strong recommendations from past coaching positions."

   We will be asking Matt to share some of his own thoughts on swimming, coaching DAM, and the direction he wants to take us in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on the Monday Message for more!