University of New England Interim Director of Athletics Curt Smyth announced the hiring of Rick Hayes as head women's swimming coach. Hayes comes to UNE from Saint Joseph's College of Maine, where he had been the Monks' head coach since 2008.
Hayes, who served as assistant coach at UNE under Kate Roy from 2005-2007, coached 13 All-New England selections and 16 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) All-Academic picks while at Saint Joseph's. He was chosen GNAC Coach of the Year in 2012, and under his guidance the Monks have annually earned College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America Team honors, as well the 2012 Steve Looke Sportsmanship Award from the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association (NEISDA).
Prior to his jump to the collegiate ranks, Hayes was head boys swimming coach at Deering High School, where his teams posted a collective record of 44-8-1 and captured three consecutive Class A state championships (2003-2005).
Hayes is looking forward to returning to UNE.
"It is an honor to come back to where I started my college coaching career 10 years ago," Hayes commented. "Although it was difficult to move on from the St. Joe's program and the bonds I had with swimmers and staff, this presents a new set of challenges for me personally and professionally. My goal is to continue, and grow upon, the years of success this program has had in both the classroom and the pool. I am excited to get going."
"We are thrilled to welcome Rick back to UNE," said Smyth. "He made a positive impression here as an assistant coach under Kate Roy, and did an commendable job of growing the St. Joe's program. Rick is someone who knows the sport of swimming but also embodies the NCAA Division III philosophy and cares deeply about his student-athletes. We expect him to build upon the success our program has enjoyed over the past 10 years."
Hayes takes over for Kate Foley, who led the Nor'easters to a 6-2 record in dual meets in 2014-15 and an eighth-place finish at the NEISDA New England Championships
