Coach Matt began coaching with Tucson Ford in 2018, but his background in swimming dates back much further. Matt grew up in the suburbs of Houston, Texas, competing with Blue Tide Aquatics and Kingwood High School. He was also a part of several USA Junior National Teams from 2008-2010.

In high school, Coach Matt was recruited by the University of Arizona to compete on the swim team and made the move out to Tucson. During his time there, he was honored to be nominated as a team captain, was a 4-time NCAA qualifier, and a 3-time All-American. He also qualified for the Olympic Trials in 2008 and 2012 and competed in the 2013 World University Games in Kazan, Russia. While at school Matt majored in Business Management.

In his previous role as the Head Age Group Coach, he guided numerous athletes to become multi-state champions and achieve even greater success. Matt is excited to continue guiding Ford athletes toward their goals and foster their success in and out of the pool.

Outside of coaching, Matt works in the Finance & Budget office at the University of Arizona and enjoys spending time with his wife, two children, and dogs, and following NFL Football. Coach Matt is eager to pass down his knowledge of the sport to the hard working and passionate kids at Ford.

Eliot started his career as a college coach at his Alma Mater Franklin and Marshall College. He served as both the Aquatics Director and Assistant Coach for three seasons. He then coached at Dartmouth College as both an Assistant Coach and Men's Recruiting Director for another three seasons. In his last year of collegiate coaching, he was an assistant at CMS in southern California. Eliot then paused his coaching career for a few years and raced as a professional long-course triathlete. While he enjoyed that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he really missed coaching and thankfully the Tucson Country Club happened to be looking for a new coach. He has spent the last three and a half years developing both their year round USA. summer SAAA, and USA masters teams. Eliot is thrilled to be joining Ford Aquatics and is looking forward to a long and successful tenure with the team.

A lifelong Tucsonan, Devin grew up in the SAAA system and swam for Palo Verde High School. Devin took the Water Safety Instructor course for the first time in 1986. He taught for varous entities over the years, including: Jim Mance, Ott YMCA, Arizona Gold, and El Dorado. In 2009, Devin started coaching summers at Catalina Terrace. In January, 2011, Devin joined the Ford team year round. Devin is excited to be at Ford and looks forward to working with the swimmers and their families. Please feel free to contact him at any time! Phone: 250-3786

Debra Abbott joins us from Gilbert, Arizona. She has swam competitively for 12 years, swimming for Rio Salado Swim Club and Gold Medal Swim Club. Debra was Top 100 Nationally in the 100 & 200 Backstroke and was a 5-time State Champion. She also swam for Perry High School’s varsity swim team for all 4 years and was an AIA D1 First Team All-Region, and Scholar-Award winner. In addition, Debra was a team captain her senior year and holds multiple teams records. She was also a part of an Age Group State Championship for Rio Salado Swim Club and holds team records in individual and relay events. 

During high school, she coached for Evo Swim School for 2 years working with athletes age ranging from 5-18. Debra is currently a Sophomore at the University of Arizona majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Psychology & Business with the goal of being an FBI Agent after graduation. She also managed the University of Arizona Swimming and Diving Program for the past year and a half. 

When Debra is not coaching she loves to watch movies, go to U of A sporting events and spend time with her family and friends. Debra hopes to make a lasting impression on the age group athletes and instill a good work ethic, while learning to love the sport.

Jake grew up in Tucson, Arizona and swam competitively for 12 years with Tucson Ford and the TJCC. He started his coaching journey in 2019 at Tucson Country Club where he spent 6 years as an assistant coach. In those 6 years, Jake coached swimmers from the ages of 4-18 and helped develop the team from a summer only swimming program to a year-round USA swimming program. 

Jake aims to create a positive environment for all swimmer and inspires swimmers to find joy in the process and to smile through hard work.

Outside of coaching, Jake works in Software Sales and enjoys running, playing sports with friends, and traveling. 

Hello Swimmers. I'm a swimmer too. I grew up swimming in the James River in VA, but most of my water time was in chlorine. Water is an old friend, kind of like home. My passion for swimming comes from my love for the water and being in it. 

Back in the day I was a 200 backstroker, 2nd fastest time at BYU for a couple years. I'm still swimming, but most of my water time for the last 24 years has either been on deck coaching or in the water teaching. 

I'm so proud of all my swimmers. You all show up, work hard, have fun, creating a community. In the end, that's what it's all about- doing something you love (swimming) surrounded by something you love (water), doing what really matters: creating community.