Daniel Jacobs – Head Coach and Owner
Email: [email protected]

I started swimming at age 4 for my neighborhood team, the Marlbank Mudtoads, and continued competing with the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins (AAU/USS) in Yorktown, VA until I was 14. After moving to Northern Virginia, I swam for Solotar, Oakton High School, and the Vienna Aquatic Club (VAC). My coaching journey began in 1985 as a developmental assistant at VAC, where I continued coaching through high school.

I went on to swim Division I at Old Dominion University and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. During the summers, I coached at Dunn Loring for three years before becoming the head coach at VAC. After college, I worked for about 12 years in the graphic design field while continuing to coach year-round with York Swim Club and during summers with VAC.

In 2001, I co-founded Machine Aquatics alongside Paris Jacobs and Christian Doud. From the very beginning, our mission has been to make a lasting, positive impact on every swimmer and help each athlete reach their fullest potential—in and out of the water. Coaching continues to be a journey of growth for me, and I truly believe there’s always more to learn and improve.

Jason Cochran – Assistant Director of Competitive Swimming & Site Director
Email: [email protected]

I’m Jason Cochran, Assistant Director of Competitive Swimming for Machine Aquatics. I’ve been coaching since 2004 and joined Machine in 2016. I primarily lead the National Prep Group at Oakmont Rec Center and support our National Team, but I also enjoy visiting all of our sites throughout the year.

I grew up in New Jersey as a three-sport athlete (swimming, baseball, soccer) and started teaching swim lessons in high school. That’s also when I launched my own summer swim team—and I’ve been hooked on coaching ever since. I swam competitively through high school and earned All-Conference honors.

I graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Spanish. My coaching career has taken me from NJ to CT to TX, and now to Machine, where I’ve worked with swimmers of all levels—from 8 & Unders to Olympic Trials qualifiers. I’ve also had the privilege of coaching at several USA Swimming Select Camps, including as Head Coach of the 2022 Eastern Zone Select Camp and Assistant Coach at the 2024 Boys National Select Camp.

My coaching philosophy centers around building strong habits, accountability, and lifelong lessons through swimming. I coach the full swimmer—every stroke, every distance—and aim to help each athlete grow both in and out of the pool.

Outside of coaching, I’m a huge sports fan (WVU, Notre Dame Football, Mets, Giants, Devils), a WWE enthusiast, and a devoted buffalo wing lover.

Dylan Cudahy – Site Director, Tysons One Life & Oakmont High Performance & Age Group Director
Email: [email protected]

I’m Dylan Cudahy, and I’ve been coaching with Machine Aquatics for the past three years—but my connection to this team goes way back. I swam with Machine for six years (after starting with the Virginia Gators) and still hold team records in the Long Course 400 IM and 1500 freestyle. Swimming has always been a central part of my life.

I believe in developing swimmers for long-term success by focusing on discipline, attention to detail, and loving the process. To me, it’s not just about the yardage or the stopwatch—it’s about showing up with purpose and effort every day.

I graduated from the University of Virginia in 2021, where I studied Systems Engineering and Environmental Science. Even with that background, I probably spend more time thinking about swimming than I should—but I love it. I’ve been coaching in some form since high school, and there’s nothing better than seeing a swimmer’s hard work pay off. Helping athletes chase their goals and build confidence is what keeps me coming back to the pool.

Aidan Deege – Senior Coach
Email: [email protected]

Hi, I’m Coach Aidan, and I’m excited to be entering my second year with Machine Aquatics. I grew up swimming with Machine. I grew up in Herndon, Virginia, and it’s an honor to now be part of the coaching staff that helped shape my own swimming journey. I’ve always admired Machine’s dedication to technical development and the way our coaches support swimmers both in and out of the water.

I swam for four years at the University of Mary Washington on their NCAA Division III team and continued competing during graduate school while earning my MBA, which I completed in the spring of 2024.

As a coach, I’m passionate about helping swimmers set goals, work hard, and celebrate their progress. Whether it’s in the pool or beyond, I’m here to support every athlete’s journey. The expectation is simple—show up and drop time. Go Machine!