courtesy of ECU

Daisy Platts and Tyler Watson were named assistant coaches on Wednesday afternoon, announced Matthew Jabs, head coach of swimming and diving for the past seven years.

“While it was difficult to lose two good coaches at the same time this summer, our two former assistants left East Carolina University in better shape than they found it, and I am very grateful for that,” Jabs said.

“I am thrilled to have Daisy and Tyler join our team. Both are young, ambitious coaches who want to make a difference in the sport. As athletes, both have had extremely successful careers and have a wealth of experience to share with our current and future student-athletes. Throughout the interview process, they both brought energy, enthusiasm and a perspective on the sport that our team can greatly benefit from. I look forward to working with both of them as we continue to grow the program.”

Originally from Leicester, England, Platts comes to Greenville after working on the swim staff at Auburn University, where she coached various groups throughout the year while also gaining valuable administrative experience and earning her master’s degree in kinesiology.

As an athlete, Platts began her career at Bowling Green State University, where she was a six-time MAC champion, two-time NCAA Championships participant (2021-22), and team captain (2022) who held seven school records. After earning her bachelor’s degree in exercise science in May 2022, Platts transferred to Auburn, where she was a finalist in three events at the 2024 SEC Championships, placing fourth in the 200 backstroke, 17th in the 100 backstroke, and 23rd in the 200 individual medley. Platts finished her collegiate career with a berth at the NCAA Championships, where she competed in the 100 and 200 backstroke.

Watson, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, swam for five seasons at the Division I level for the University of Florida (2019-23) and the University of Louisville (2024). While at Florida, he qualified for the NCAA three times, was twice named an All-American, twice selected to the All-SEC (second team) and was part of three SEC championship teams.

Watson has qualified for the Olympics twice (2021 and 2024) and competed in nine SEC events, including a third-place finish in the 1650-meter freestyle in 2022. He graduated with a degree in sports management. While in Louisville, he competed in the 2024 AAC Championships, where he was a finalist in three events. At the end of his career and during college, he coached both the Gator Swim Club and North Florida Swimming Inc., working with senior and national teams. Watson is expected to graduate from Louisville with a master’s degree in sports administration in December 2024.

What they say about Platts:
“With Daisy, ECU gains a phenomenal competitor, technician, coach and person. She will bring incredible strength, passion, energy and empathy to the pool every day. I am excited to see the impact she will have on ECU’s student-athletes on an athletic and personal level.”

Ryan Wochomurka
Head Coach Swimming & Diving
Auburn University

What they say about Watson:
“Tyler was obviously a very accomplished swimmer, but what impressed us most was how he helped the younger kids on our team with their strokes and races, even when he was the most accomplished in the pool. After he went to college and became an All-American, he kept coming back and helping our kids compete and volunteering for our team whenever he was in town. Tyler has an excellent understanding of stroke mechanics. I’m very excited to have him coach. I think he’s going to do a wonderful job.”

Mel Nash
Head Coach
North Florida Swimming, Inc. (former World Champion, National Champion, NCAA Champion, Pan-Am Champion)