Hello, my name is Dejan!

I’ve been in the water since the age of 4 and haven’t stopped swimming since. Originally from Serbia, I was proud to represent my country on the National Team for 7 years, competing in international meets such as the European U23 Championships, European Junior Championships, and the Balkan Games. These experiences shaped not only my technique but also my deep appreciation for the sport and its power to build discipline and character.

I moved to the U.S. to continue both my academic and athletic journey, earning a degree in Computer Science while pursuing coaching. I joined Maverick Aquatics in October 2022 and have worked closely with our top athletes in the Elite group. In August 2023, I became the head coach of the Elite group, and it’s been an incredible privilege to help guide and develop our most competitive swimmers.

My motto as a coach is HWAPO – “Hard Work Always Pays Off.” Growing up in the European swim system, I was shaped by a culture of long, challenging sets and disciplined training environments. That experience taught me the value of persistence, focus, and pushing limits. I bring that same mentality into every practice, helping swimmers develop not only great technique but also the mental grit to handle tough training and race-day pressure. I believe in setting high standards, supporting each athlete through the process, and celebrating the effort as much as the results.

Austin Patterson Elite Group Coach