2024 GATOR COACHING STAFF

Swimming

Head Coach Ashley House Smith

Hello Gators! My name is Ashley (House) Smith and I am returning for my 7th year as Head Coach for the Gators. For over 20 years I have been coaching swimmers all the way from blowing bubbles to the national level. In my tenure I have coached 10 & Under swimmers to several state titles, coached middle school swimming for Sunman-Dearborn Middle School (SDMS) for 5 years, as well as assisted with East Central High School (ECHS) Swim team for a few years, and I coached with the Northern Kentucky Clippers for almost 3 years. I have been a swim lesson instructor for 19 years in both group and private lessons. Back in the day I was a competitive swimmer for East Central Swim Team (ECST), SDMS, and ECHS in Southeast Indiana; so I am a Northern Kentucky transplant for the past 9 years! In high school I was a state qualifier all four years and I also went on to swim in college at Baldwin Wallace College (now University) in Berea, OH. My parents were my coaches for most of my swimming career so I bring with me the experience and belief of work hard-play hard for success as a swim team family. My brother Kyle swam for Purdue University and Queens University and my youngest brother Grant swam for Arizona State University. I currently work for Erlanger Elsmere Schools as a School Psychologist. I live in Crestview Hills with my wonderful husband, Brady, 2 daughters (Aven-10, Finley-14), 2 sons (Mason-17, Zachary-18). My family and I are very excited to be back for our 7th season with the Gators!!

Assistant Swim Coach Ethan Hanna

Hi, I’m Ethan and I am back again coaching the Gators! I recently graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Master’s of Science in Accounting. During my time there I spent 3 seasons on the Men’s Swimming & Dive Team. I’ve coached the Clippers for 2 years and this will be my 5th Summer League season coaching Five Seasons Gators. I have grown up around swimming in the NKSL, for the Clippers, and for CCH!  I love teaming up with Coach Ashley and look forward to another fun summer. 

Assistant Swim Coach Karen Poulos

Hello Gators!  I am excited to officially be coaching this summer.  I grew up in Northern Kentucky with my parents and two older sisters. My childhood was filled with chlorine and swim meets all through college. All the students know I LOVE the University of Louisville and my other love is Star Wars. I now have quite the collection of baby Yoda memorabilia, and I enjoy a snuggle with my chihuahua, Luke Skywalker and rescue puppy, Ben Kenobi.

I swam for the Kenton County Clippers, Cincinnati Marlins, Bluegrass Swim Club and Notre Dame Academy. After high school, I achieved a BS in Exercise Science/Sports Medicine & Minor in Spanish from the University of Louisville. Afterwards, I received a Masters of Education from the University of Cincinnati in Public Health Promotion & Exercise Physiology. I am currently enrolled at Thomas More finishing my MAT. In 2018, I was awarded Florence Rotary Teacher of the Year.

I currently live in Edgewood, Kentucky with my son, Jackson, and my daughter, Samantha. I enjoy many activities outside of school, for example, teaching swim lessons, running, watching my children’s sports, reading, golfing and napping!

Diving Coaches:

Head Coach Sydney Dierig

My name is Sydney Dierig. I was 15 years old when I started diving for the NKSL at Five Seasons and have been diving ever since. That same year I began to dive on the varsity dive team at Notre Dame academy. 

Summer diving is what made me fall in love with the sport. I fell in love with the sport of diving after many years of competitive cheer and dance.  I am very excited for this diving season. I am looking forward to getting to know each and every kid and making the season as fun as possible while helping everyone gain and develop new skills.I am now attending Eastern Kentucky University.