Swimming & Diving
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- rpurdy@ia.ua.edu
- Phone:
- 205-963-5700
Ryan Purdy joined the Alabama swimming and diving coaching staff in June 2026. Purdy, who comes to the Capstone after spending two years at Army, joins the Crimson Tide as an assistant coach.
"What stood out most about Ryan was the genuine way he builds relationships," Geer said. "He has great knowledge of the sport and is someone our student-athletes will trust and want to be around every day. Just as importantly, he is a great fit for our staff. We are thrilled to welcome him to Alabama and excited for the impact he will have on our program."
Prior to beginning his coaching career, Purdy was a standout swimmer and team captain for the Arizona Wildcats during their 2023-24 season. While there, Purdy was a part of the programs record breaking 200 medley relay team and was a Pac-12 Championship finalist in the 100 breast, 200 medley and 400 medley.
While with the Army Black Knights swimming program, he helped coach the men's swimming and diving team to the 2025 Patriot League title - the program's first conference championship in 24 years. Army followed that up with a runner-up finish at the Patriot League Championships this past year.
"I want to sincerely thank Margo and the entire Alabama swim and dive family for this opportunity," Purdy said. "I'm incredibly grateful and honored to join such an elite program. Alabama has such a rich history in swimming and diving, and I can't wait to help take it to an even higher level. Roll Tide!"
Army-Westpoint (2024-26)
- Coached the men's and women's sprinters which included developing unique and specific power and sprint practices catered towards different athletes
- Implemented new nutrition standards and strategies, which included the restocking and ordering weekly supply of healthy supplements and vitamins while working closely with team nutritionists on proper fueling
- Increased athletes' athleticism by implementing plyometrics and power practices Each session designed through practical swimming applications
- Coached three individual NCAA All-Americans, one All-American Honorable Mention relay team (2026, 2025)
- Helped program earn its first three women's swimming NCAA qualifiers in team history (2026)
- Helped guide program to its first men's team Patriot League Championship title since 2001 (2025)
- His swimmers earned 65 top 10 women's times, 83 top 10 men's times, six Patriot League Women's Records and five Patriot League Men's Records
Tucson Aquatic Club (2022-24)
- Served as assistant senior swim coach
- Formed long term season plans for various groups while coaching diverse types of athletes of all different levels
- Coached and wrote sets for multiple groups like sprint, middle distance, and distance
- Taught the importance of adopting a comprehensive and healthy mindset
- Prepared athletes for competition through visualization, breathing and stretching exercises
- Helped high school athletes understand the college recruiting process
Personal
- Served as volunteer assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Arizona during the summer of 2022
- Had a successful collegiate career in the pool at both the University of Arizona (2021-23) and the University of Iowa (2019-21)
- Served as team captain while with the Wildcats (2021-23), posting multiple B-cut times
- Earned CSCAA Scholar All-American honors in 2022 and CSC Academic All-District accolades in 2023 at Arizona
- He also was an All-Academic Big Ten selection during his career at Iowa
- Graduated from the University of Arizona in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in learning and leadership innovation with a minor in recreation and sport
- Also studied human physiology while at Iowa
