Derek Perkins Named Swimming and Diving Assistant Coach

July 10, 2009

CLEMSON, SC – Head Swimming and Diving Coach Christopher Ip named Derek Perkins assistant coach on Tuesday. Perkins is a 2003 graduate of the University of Kentucky, who brings experience of coaching from very successful programs.

“We are excited to bring Derek Perkins onboard our coaching staff,” said Ip. “Derek is a young, up and coming collegiate coach. He has been a part of two National Championship campaigns at Emory University for swimming and diving. It takes a strong staff, determined to place high standards and a philosophy of solid character building to mold a team into National Champions. Derek will bring that experience to our program along with his Dartfish video analysis forte and strong individualized coaching style. He will join efforts with recruiting coordinator, Lance Asti to open the doors for higher caliber student-athletes to Clemson.”

“I am very excited to join Chris’s staff and the community at Clemson,” said Perkins. “Clemson provides an excellent balance between academics and athletics, which was very important for me coming from Emory. I believe the swimming and diving program is eager to take the next step in becoming a top tier program and I am looking forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

Perkins was a member of the Transylvania coaching staff from 2003 to 2004. There he helped lead the team to their first ever conference championship. During his two years there, the swimming and diving team set ten team records and placed in the top four at NAIA’s.

Most recently, Perkins has been the assistant coach at Emory University where he was the primary sprint coach. There he coached back-to-back Division III National Championship teams in 2005 and 2006. He also served as recruiting coordinator at Emory and helped manage all aspects of the program including travel, camps, and strength and conditioning.

One of his greatest areas of strength comes with using Dartfish software, a program that can be used to enhance training. Perkins worked the Swim with the Stars Camp in 2006 and 2007 where he was the Dartfish Technician for them.

Perkins will serve the staff’s sprint-stroke specialist and coach sprint freestylers.