Daisy Platts and Tyler Watson have been appointed as assistant coaches, announced by seventh-year head coach of swimming and diving, Matthew Jabs, on Wednesday afternoon.
“Although it has been challenging to lose two excellent coaches simultaneously this summer, both former assistants left East Carolina University in a better position than when they arrived, and I am very grateful for that,” Jabs stated.
“As we look ahead, I am thrilled to welcome Daisy and Tyler to our staff. Both are young, ambitious coaches eager to make an impact in the sport. As athletes, they both had highly successful careers and bring a wealth of experience to share with our current and future student-athletes. During the interview process, they each demonstrated energy, enthusiasm, and a unique perspective on the sport that will greatly benefit our team. I look forward to working with them to continue building our program.”
Platts, originally from Leicester, England, joins Greenville after working with Auburn University’s swimming staff, where she coached various groups throughout the year, gained valuable administrative experience, and earned her master’s degree in kinesiology.
As an athlete, Platts began her career at Bowling Green State University, where she was a six-time MAC Champion, two-time NCAA Championship participant (2021-22), and team captain (2022) who held seven school records. After completing her undergraduate degree in exercise science in May 2022, Platts transferred to Auburn, where she was a three-event finalist at the 2024 SEC Championships, finishing fourth in the 200 backstroke, 17th in the 100 backstroke, and 23rd in the 200 IM. She concluded her collegiate career with a berth at the NCAA Championships, competing in the 100 and 200 backstrokes.
Watson, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., swam for five seasons at the Division I level between the University of Florida (2019-23) and the University of Louisville (2024). At Florida, he was a three-time NCAA Qualifier, two-time All-American, two-time All-SEC selection (second team), and part of three SEC Championship teams.
A two-time Olympic Trials qualifier (2021 and 2024), Watson made nine SEC appearances, highlighted by a third-place finish in the 1650 freestyle in 2022, and graduated with a degree in sports management. At Louisville, he competed in the 2024 AAC Championships, where he was a three-event finalist. Throughout his college career, he also coached with the Gator Swim Club and North Florida Swimming Inc., working with senior and national level groups. Watson is expected to earn his master’s degree in sports administration from Louisville in December 2024.
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