Courtesy: Marist Athletics
POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray has announced the hire of Anthony Randall as head men’s and women’s swimming coach. Randall arrives to Marist with over a decade of coaching experience at the Division I level, and takes over both programs following Larry VanWagner’s retirement.
“I am very pleased to have Anthony join our coaching staff,” said Murray. “I am confident in his recruiting and coaching background, and that he will continue to build on the great traditions and successes of our former coach, Larry VanWagner.”
Randall earns his first head coaching opportunity following five years at Fresno State, where he served as an assistant coach for three seasons before a promotion to associate head coach in September of 2019. In his recent role, he continued to lead the team’s recruiting strategies while gaining additional responsibilities to oversee training, budgeting, and scholarships. His relationship-building with coaches and club teams led to the commitment of seven of the highest-ranking California recruits in school history.
During his tenure, the Bulldogs broke 26 school records, and recorded the top two finishes at the Mountain West conference championships in school history in 2017 and 2018. Fresno State has improved its point total in the conference championships in every season since Randall’s arrival, culminating in a program-best 829 points in 2021. Academically, Randall helped guide the Bulldogs to two CSCAA Academic All-American Team honors as well as the highest semester grade-point average in team history.
“I am thankful to Tim Murray and the Marist College administration for giving me the opportunity to lead the storied men’s and women’s swimming programs,” said Randall. “Coach VanWagner created a terrific foundation of athletic and academic success. I am looking forward to building on that excellence and nurturing the winning culture here in Poughkeepsie.”
Before his time at Fresno State, Randall was the associate head coach for his alma mater, Rhode Island, from 2011 to 2016. He developed training programs that produced 36 total varsity records.
In his first season, URI recorded its first pool record by a varsity swimmer and the highest finish at the A-10 conference championships in school history. In 2014-15, the Rams notched their highest point total in school history at the conference championships, and sent their first three swimmers to the U.S. National Meet. Randall also executed a recruiting strategy that brought four Winter National Qualifiers to Kingston, RI, as well as the school’s second-ever NCAA “B” cut and first conference pool record in 2012-13.
Prior to assisting the varsity program at URI, Randall was the head men’s club swimming coach from 2010 to 2011. Under his guidance, five school records shattered, including former Division I records, and Rhode Island was the 2011 National Club Champions in the club’s first undefeated regular season. Two athletes were National Club Individual Champions, and there was a total of 38 top-16 finishes at the National Club Championships.
In Randall’s coaching career, he was a recipient of the CSCAA Jean Freeman Award for Assistant Coaches in 2014, which is awarded annually to six collegiate assistant coaches whose exceptional contributions have brought recognition to their institution, and whose leadership, integrity, honesty, competitive attitude and personal graciousness epitomize those characteristics reflected by Jean Freeman, the first woman to become a full-time Division I head coach. Randall was also named the Sullivan North Conference and Runner-Up Rhode Island Women’s Coach of the Year in 2007-08.
Randall graduated from Rhode Island in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Public Relations. A four-year varsity letter winner for the Rams, he was an A-10 finalist in all four years of his career. He was a top-five performer in the 50 and 100 Freestyle, while also competing in the 200 and 400 Free and Medley Relays. In 2007, he served as a tri-captain.
A native of Harrisburg, PA, Randall is married to his wife, Corrie. They have one son, Janai.
The Marist men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs are among the most successful in the Marist annals. Both programs have combined for 36 conference championships, including 30 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). The women’s program has a school-best 18 MAAC titles, including the Red Foxes’ 100th MAAC Championship in 2014.
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