Gators Hire Jeff Poppell as Associate Head Coach
Wednesday, June 1, 2016 | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
Poppell will enter his 24th season of coaching this Fall
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The University of Florida swimming and diving team has announced the addition of associate head coach Jeff Poppell to the Gator coaching staff. Florida head coach Gregg Troy announced the addition on Wednesday.
Poppell, who enters his 24th season of coaching this fall, most recently served as the head coach at both Gulliver Preparatory School and Gulliver Swim Club over the past four seasons. Prior to his arrival, he was the women's head coach at the University of Arkansas for six years, and a member of The Bolles School and Bolles School Sharks for 13 seasons.
"We're extremely fortunate to have Jeff joining our staff this fall," said Troy. "He brings a wealth of knowledge across the spectrum and he's excelled at all levels whether it has been as a club coach at Bolles and Gulliver, or as a head coach in the Southeastern Conference at Arkansas. His knowledge of the sport is tremendous and we're excited to add him to our staff."
A veteran to the sport, Poppell got his foot in the door with The Bolles School Sharks in 1993 under Troy and found plenty of success. From 2002-2006, he coached four swimmers who ranked among the Top-25 in the world while 17 former and current Bolles members were in the pool at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
"I've known Jeff a long time and I have no doubt he'll be a tremendous fit. He's a winner, with experience at winning programs, and he came up from grass roots. He's got a fantastic personality that I know our student-athletes will feed off of. Collectively, he's the type of coach we were looking for and we're happy to have him with us."
After taking over the Arkansas program in 2006, Poppell helped the Razorback women's program reach new heights after coaching 16 athletes to the NCAA Championships. In addition, 10 women earned NCAA All-America honors under his watch. Arkansas' fifth-place team finish at the 2009 SEC Championships was the highest finish in program history.
Most recently, in 2015-2016, Poppell guided Gulliver Swim Club to its first-ever Silver Medal Award, which recognizes the top 100 swimming clubs in the United States. In addition, he tutored four U.S. Olympic Trial qualifiers, three finalists at the U.S. Summer Junior National Championships, and 10 swimmers who were ranked among the top 25 nationally in their respective age groups.
As his time winds down at Gulliver, the 2004 NHSCA National High School Coach of the Year looks forward to his new start with the Blue and Orange.
"I'm truly honored to have been named the associate head coach at the University of Florida," Poppell said. "I look forward to returning to the Southeastern Conference and the NCAA swimming and diving landscape.
"I would like to thank Coach Troy, and University of Florida Athletics Director, Jeremy Foley, for giving me the opportunity to join Gator Nation.
"I have the upmost respect and admiration for Coach Troy, his coaching staff, and their exceptional tradition for academic and athletic excellence which has remained persistent at UF for so many years."
Poppell is expected to join the Gator staff this Fall and will replace current Associate Head Coach, Martyn Wilby.
Poppell, who enters his 24th season of coaching this fall, most recently served as the head coach at both Gulliver Preparatory School and Gulliver Swim Club over the past four seasons. Prior to his arrival, he was the women's head coach at the University of Arkansas for six years, and a member of The Bolles School and Bolles School Sharks for 13 seasons.
"We're extremely fortunate to have Jeff joining our staff this fall," said Troy. "He brings a wealth of knowledge across the spectrum and he's excelled at all levels whether it has been as a club coach at Bolles and Gulliver, or as a head coach in the Southeastern Conference at Arkansas. His knowledge of the sport is tremendous and we're excited to add him to our staff."
A veteran to the sport, Poppell got his foot in the door with The Bolles School Sharks in 1993 under Troy and found plenty of success. From 2002-2006, he coached four swimmers who ranked among the Top-25 in the world while 17 former and current Bolles members were in the pool at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games."I've known Jeff a long time and I have no doubt he'll be a tremendous fit. He's a winner, with experience at winning programs, and he came up from grass roots. He's got a fantastic personality that I know our student-athletes will feed off of. Collectively, he's the type of coach we were looking for and we're happy to have him with us."
After taking over the Arkansas program in 2006, Poppell helped the Razorback women's program reach new heights after coaching 16 athletes to the NCAA Championships. In addition, 10 women earned NCAA All-America honors under his watch. Arkansas' fifth-place team finish at the 2009 SEC Championships was the highest finish in program history.
Most recently, in 2015-2016, Poppell guided Gulliver Swim Club to its first-ever Silver Medal Award, which recognizes the top 100 swimming clubs in the United States. In addition, he tutored four U.S. Olympic Trial qualifiers, three finalists at the U.S. Summer Junior National Championships, and 10 swimmers who were ranked among the top 25 nationally in their respective age groups.
As his time winds down at Gulliver, the 2004 NHSCA National High School Coach of the Year looks forward to his new start with the Blue and Orange.
"I'm truly honored to have been named the associate head coach at the University of Florida," Poppell said. "I look forward to returning to the Southeastern Conference and the NCAA swimming and diving landscape.
"I would like to thank Coach Troy, and University of Florida Athletics Director, Jeremy Foley, for giving me the opportunity to join Gator Nation.
"I have the upmost respect and admiration for Coach Troy, his coaching staff, and their exceptional tradition for academic and athletic excellence which has remained persistent at UF for so many years."
Poppell is expected to join the Gator staff this Fall and will replace current Associate Head Coach, Martyn Wilby.
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