North Florida Athletics Names Lindsey McKnight Head Swimming Coach
6/25/2026 9:55:00 AM | Women's Swimming
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – University of North Florida Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nick Morrow named Lindsey McKnight as the third Head Coach in North Florida Swimming program history on Thursday.
"We're thrilled to promote Lindsey McKnight as the Head Swimming Coach at North Florida. Lindsey has built a strong reputation across the state of Florida and within the swimming community, and she brings immediate credibility as a former NCAA Division I All-American," Morrow said. "She understands the work ethic required to build a championship-caliber program, while keeping the student-athlete experience at the center of everything she does."
"Her vision, energy, and commitment to developing young women aligns perfectly with our priorities as a department. This is a pivotal moment for our program, and Lindsey is the right leader at the right time. She brings the experience, competitive mindset, and cultural approach needed to elevate North Florida Swimming and position us for sustained success in the ASUN Conference and beyond. We're confident that under her leadership, our student-athletes will thrive in the pool, in the classroom and in life."
"I'm so honored for the opportunity to lead this program," McKnight added. "This team has built a culture of hard work, trust and unity, and I'm proud to continue that tradition as head coach. I'm thankful to the athletic department for the confidence they've placed in me, and I'm excited to help this team continue to succeed not only as athletes, but as individuals as well."
Hired in June 2022, McKnight was elevated to the helm of the program after four seasons as an Assistant Coach at North Florida.
Throughout her time at North Florida, she has helped the Ospreys rewrite 12 program records. She most recently assisted North Florida to seven program-record marks and guided Kayla Daley to the program's first All-ASUN selection at the 2026 ASUN Championships.
Prior to UNF, McKnight served as a private swim instructor in Florida, Massachusetts and Virginia from 2015 to 2021.
While a student-athlete at the University of Florida, McKnight earned 2015 Second Team All-SEC, 2014 SEC Academic Honor Roll and 2013 SEC All-Freshman Team selections. She was a five-time All-American, in addition to an SEC and NCAA Championship qualifier.
At the conclusion of her career, she ranked in the top-ten of the all-time record books in nine events at Florida, including the 50-meter Freestyle, 100-meter Freestyle, 200-meter Freestyle, 100-meter Breaststroke, 100-meter Individual Medley Relay, 200-meter Freestyle Relay, 400-meter Freestyle Relay, 800-meter Freestyle Relay and 200-meter Medley Relay.
McKnight was an Olympic Trials qualifier in 2008, 2012 and 2016.
McKnight attended American Heritage High School, where she was ranked a five-star and top-10 recruit in 2012 per CollegeSwimming.com. She accumulated 13 FHSAA State Championship titles and the state record at the time in the 100-meter Breaststroke.
A native of Coral Springs, Fla., McKnight earned her Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Florida in 2017.Â
"We're thrilled to promote Lindsey McKnight as the Head Swimming Coach at North Florida. Lindsey has built a strong reputation across the state of Florida and within the swimming community, and she brings immediate credibility as a former NCAA Division I All-American," Morrow said. "She understands the work ethic required to build a championship-caliber program, while keeping the student-athlete experience at the center of everything she does."
"Her vision, energy, and commitment to developing young women aligns perfectly with our priorities as a department. This is a pivotal moment for our program, and Lindsey is the right leader at the right time. She brings the experience, competitive mindset, and cultural approach needed to elevate North Florida Swimming and position us for sustained success in the ASUN Conference and beyond. We're confident that under her leadership, our student-athletes will thrive in the pool, in the classroom and in life."
"I'm so honored for the opportunity to lead this program," McKnight added. "This team has built a culture of hard work, trust and unity, and I'm proud to continue that tradition as head coach. I'm thankful to the athletic department for the confidence they've placed in me, and I'm excited to help this team continue to succeed not only as athletes, but as individuals as well."
Hired in June 2022, McKnight was elevated to the helm of the program after four seasons as an Assistant Coach at North Florida.
Throughout her time at North Florida, she has helped the Ospreys rewrite 12 program records. She most recently assisted North Florida to seven program-record marks and guided Kayla Daley to the program's first All-ASUN selection at the 2026 ASUN Championships.
Prior to UNF, McKnight served as a private swim instructor in Florida, Massachusetts and Virginia from 2015 to 2021.
While a student-athlete at the University of Florida, McKnight earned 2015 Second Team All-SEC, 2014 SEC Academic Honor Roll and 2013 SEC All-Freshman Team selections. She was a five-time All-American, in addition to an SEC and NCAA Championship qualifier.
At the conclusion of her career, she ranked in the top-ten of the all-time record books in nine events at Florida, including the 50-meter Freestyle, 100-meter Freestyle, 200-meter Freestyle, 100-meter Breaststroke, 100-meter Individual Medley Relay, 200-meter Freestyle Relay, 400-meter Freestyle Relay, 800-meter Freestyle Relay and 200-meter Medley Relay.
McKnight was an Olympic Trials qualifier in 2008, 2012 and 2016.
McKnight attended American Heritage High School, where she was ranked a five-star and top-10 recruit in 2012 per CollegeSwimming.com. She accumulated 13 FHSAA State Championship titles and the state record at the time in the 100-meter Breaststroke.
A native of Coral Springs, Fla., McKnight earned her Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Florida in 2017.Â
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