UNLV SWIMMING AND DIVING NAMES DEREK STARKS AS DIVING COACH
Derek Starks has been named as diving coach for the UNLV men’s and women’s swimming and diving team, head coach Jim Reitz announced on Monday. Starks replaces Julie Weddle, who left for the head diving coach position at New Mexico in August.
Starks comes to Las Vegas from California, where he served as the national and international team director for Mission Viejo Nadadores Diving since 2007. He oversaw the coaching for the junior olympic and senior level divers, as well as at all national and international competitions for the team. While as the coach for the Nadadores, the team won a total of 14 medals at the age group national championships and 26 junior national championship medals. International meets that Starks has coached at include the UANA Junior Pan American Games in 2011 (two medals) and the 2012 CAMO International Invitational in 2012 (two medals).
He competed in college at the University of Miami, and was the ACC Diver of the Year in 2006. He earned three All-American honors (10-meters in 2004 and 2005, and on the 1-meter in 2006), and honorable mention in 2005 on the 1-meter. As a freshman, he earned Big East Most Outstanding Diver honors in 2004. He also competed at the US Olympic Trials and the US Diving Nationals during his collegiate career. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration while majoring in entrepreneurship in 2007.
“We are excited to have Derek join our Rebel family this season,” said Reitz. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as a passion for the sport that will take our divers to the next level.”
