Since entering the coaching world in 1991, Coach Kim Brackin has distinguished herself over the years as one of the sports most respected college coaches. In a profession still dominated by men, she has broken through onto not only the national level, but the international level- winning the praises and support of her peers as well as the sport’s community.

College-Level Success

Brackin has produced incredible results since her first college coaching position at Ithica College during the 1991-1992 season. After working her way as assistant coach at Davidson and Northwestern, she embarked on her first NCAA Division I swimming powerhouse team at Auburn University in 1997.

Joining Auburn first as an assistant coach of both the men’s and women’s program, she quickly proved her ability to coach at the highest college level and was named co-head coach of the women’s program from 2002-05. Her first year as co-head coach in 2002 marked the first year the women’s program won the NCAA title. Her leadership was recognized as she was the first ever NCAA Women’s Swimming Co-Head Coach of the Year. The following year, she was named the 2003 SEC conference swimming co-head coach of the year. During her time with the Tigers, the program won seven NCAA Championships (three by the women and four by the men).

Following Auburn, Brackin’s next collegiate coaching position came at the University of Texas as the head coach of the women’s program, where she just completed her third season. Most recently in 2009, the team won the Big 12 swimming and diving championships- the first team title since 2006. With Texas women swimmers breaking nine meet and four conference records, as well as capturing the newcomer and swimmer of the meet honors, Brackin was named the conference’s women’s coach of the meet-the first Big 12 honor of her career.

Following the 2009 Big 12 championships, Brackin led the Texas Longhorn women to a 5th place finish. In the years prior, the team had placed 14th and 6th respectively.

Worldly Assignments

Recognizing Brackin’s success coaching many successful athletes competing on collegiate, national, and international level, the U.S., Zimbabwe, and Panamanian swimming committees have appointed her to lead their teams in world competitions.

Brackin’s international coaching experience were highlighted in both 2004 and 2008 when she was selected as the head coach of the Zimbabwe swim team. At the 2004 games in Athens, Greece, she guided her then-Auburn swimmer to the South African nation’s first Olympic swimming medal. Between the two Olympic Games, Brackin’s athlete has captured a combined seven medals and broken two world records there as well.

In addition to the games, Brackin headed the Zimbabwe national team coaching staff at both the 2005 and 2007 World Championships.

Brackin served as the assistant coach at the 2003 World University Games in Korea for Team USA and was the head assistant coach for the country’s 2002 US National Junior Team. She was also the head coach for the Panama national team at the 2003 World Championships.

In total, there have been 7 Olympians, 12 World University Games swimmers, and 8 World Championship swimmers under Brackin’s instruction.