The Somerset Valley YMCA is launching a search after the team’s successful lead coach said he will be leaving at the end of the summer season to pursue a career opportunity in south Florida.
Head Coach Matt Donovan will remain through Aug 8. The Somerset Valley YMCA is seeking to hire a new coach by early August.
"We have begun a search to find a new swim team coach to build on the success that Matt achieved over the years," said David Carcieri, CEO. "Matt’s continued vision for the program is in perfect alignment with our organizational goals, namely, to bring the program to new heights."
"We have assembled a strong search committee that consists of staff and representatives from the swim team parents’ organization. The plan is to search, both internally and externally, to find a highly qualified candidate for the job. We expect to hire the new coach and have them in place by the start of the swim team season."
Mr. Donovan came to the Somerset Valley YMCA in 2000 as a 23-year-old rookie coach and built the team into a powerhouse in the world of swimming. Under his leadership, the team won six state championship titles and 20 individual national titles and set 10 national records.
Mr. Donovan and the coaches he assembled made an impact on the lives of countless young athletes, teaching them the rewards of discipline, hard work and dedication. Athletes from the Y team became top competitors in high school swimming in New Jersey. Mr. Donovan also guided many of his swimmers into college swimming programs at all levels.
Mr. Donovan expressed confidence that the team would continue to grow and improve under new leadership.
"I know for a fact that the 2014-15 season will be the most successful in our history. We have great athletes with tremendous goals and there is not a doubt in my mind that SVY will once again hit it out of the park," Mr. Donovan said. "I have said it a million times, and I have always meant it: This is by far the best coaching staff in the country. All they do is work hard and make me look good."
Barry Coriell, president of the swim team’s parent board, is one of three parent board members involved in the search for a coach.
"We are working closely with the Y leadership to find the best coach to lead the team going forward," he said. "We are all committed to finding the best individual who understands our strong YMCA value system, and is excited to take this team to the next level."
Mr. Donovan leaves to become Director of Competitive Aquatics for the YMCA of Broward County, an organization with six Y branches. After 14 years, he said, it was simply time to make a change.
"I have achieved all of the goals that this team and I have set this past decade and a half. I want to keep growing as a professional," he said in a letter he sent to the team. "Many of the swimmers that I have coached are now older than I was when I first took this job."
This year, the team achieved Silver Medal Club status, establishing its place as one of the top 100 teams in the country, according to USA Swimming, which recognizes clubs with a high level of athletic performance.
In 2013, Mr. Donovan was named the YMCA National Coach of the Meet after the team’s record-breaking performance at the 2013 Long Course YMCA Nationals.

