Delta State University has finally found someone to lead its swimming and diving program.

Dan’l Murray, who has been the Delta Aquatic Club age group swimming coach for the past five years, was named the new swimming and diving head coach at DSU. Murray will take the place of Brian Hein who’s contract wasn’t renewed due to cutbacks. Murray will still be the Delta Aquatic Club head coach. Murray’s salary at Delta State will be separate from the Delta Aquatic Club.

In Murray’s tenure as Delta Aquatic Club coach, he has been named to the Mississippi Zone coaching staff from 2006-09. He has also coached several state champions and state record holders.

This will be Murray’s first coaching job on the collegiate level.

“I’m excited about the great opportunity that Dr. (John) Hilpert (DSU President) and Jeremy McClain (DSU Athletic Director) have given me to continue to excel at the collegiate level at one of the finest aquatic centers in the country,” Murray, 29, said.

McClain, in a release, said Murray fit what Delta State was looking for in a head coach.

“When we began the process of looking for the next head coach of our swimming and diving program, I wanted to find a candidate with the leadership, integrity and vision to take the program forward,” McClain stated. “Coach Murray has all these qualities, and I believe he is the right man for the job.”

Murray, a native of Greensboro, N.C., will take over a Delta State University program that has been successful for many years. The Statesmen and Lady Statesmen swimming and diving programs have had numerous All-Americans and Academic All-Americans through the years. Both the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen ranked among the top swim teams in the nation as they’ve won 10 total New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference Championships. Last season, the Lady Statesmen and Statesmen had swimmers advance to the National NCAA Division II National Swim Meet. The Statesmen finished 15th while the Lady Statesmen took 20th in the national meet.

“Delta State has always been successful at all levels in the sport,” Murray said. “They’ve produced conference champions, national champions, All-Americans and academic All-Americans. I’m looking forward to continuing that in the future.”

Murray said he plans to keep Delta State swimming moving in the right direction.

“We’re going to keep in place the things that have made Delta State swimming and diving successful throughout the last 20 or 30 years,” Murray said. “I’m going to bring my own philosophy of coaching and training athletes not just in the pool but in the classroom and preparing them for success in life.”