C-N AD Allen Morgan announces hiring of college’s first swim coach

Carson-Newman athletic director Allen Morgan announced the hiring of the first swim coach in the college’s 161-year history Thursday morning.

Morristown, Tennessee native Paige Tindall McCord returns to the area after spending three years as the head coach of the Fort Hood Area Dolphins and most recently as a masters coach with the Hurricanes swimming in Columbus, Ga.

“We expect excellence in all phases (at Carson-Newman,” Morgan said. “As I was looking through the applications, there was one that stood out immediately.  Today we’re making history as I introduce that person (as our swim coach), Paige McCord.”

McCord comes from a family of swimmers.  Her sister Allyson swam at DePauw University while her sister Tricia took to the waters as a Kansas Jayhawk.  Paige was finished in the top 10 in the 200 back and 200 IM in the Colonial Athletic Association while swimming at Davidson.  

“Carson-Newman’s home for me,” McCord said. “I may not have gone here, but Carson-Newman is my husband’s alma mater and I’ve lived for 22 years in this area, so I’m very thankful to be at Carson-Newman.”

While with the Fort Hood Area Dolphins Swim Club, McCord trained three swimmers that went on to the South Texas “A Champs.” Two of those made the finals with one reaching Texas’ top swim meet, TAGS (Texas Age Group).

“I know that we have the facility and support to produce, not only the best in the SAC, but a world class program at Carson-Newman,” McCord said. “I want to bring God glory through all of that.”

The move to Jeff City is a return home for McCord.  In addition to growing up in Morristown, McCord was the head coach for the Jefferson City Swim Club from 2007-2008.  In her two years with JCSC, she solidified the program’s transition from a summer league program to one where athletes could train year round.

McCord said the university is the perfect fit for her coaching style, which combines strong

Christian values with the pursuit of both academic and athletic excellence.

“You teach faith through your actions,” McCord said. “You teach faith through being that example on the pool deck.  You have to be disciplined about teaching those specific themes.”

McCord is married to U.S. Army Captain Daniel McCord. She is the daughter of the late Dr. James Raymond Tindall and Katy Tindall Klose.

Carson-Newman’s swimming program begins competition in the fall of 2013.