Women's Swimming

Greg Orphanides
Greg Orphanides

Last College:
Portsmouth University
Position:
Volunteer Assistant Coach
Year at UH:
Second

Greg Orphanides, a former swimmer at the University of Portsmouth, begins his first season with the University of Houston serving as the volunteer assistant coach.

In that role, he will assist head coach Mark Taylor with routine daily practice duties and coordinating home meet management.

Prior to joining the UH staff, Orphanides served as head coach of the Houston Cougar Aquatic Sports team, a role which he still holds. As head coach Greg has seen the team expand to nearly double its size when he first arrived in 2007. The team recently had its best finish ever at Sectionals and boasts state medalists at both the senior level, as well as from their age group program. Orphanides has also taken swimmers through to National Championships both here and abroad.

After graduating from the University of Portsmouth in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in accounting, Orphanides spent two additional years in Portsmouth continuing his swimming as well as assisting with the University swim team. From there he became the Age Group Swimming Coach and Swimming Development Officer in Glasgow, Scotland. In that role he was responsible for organizing all swimming lessons in addition to managing over 40 swim teachers.

Orphanides was a member of the Portsmouth swim team, serving as the swim team president, that placed second at their National Championships.

Throughout his career he has worked with Olympic coaches, Maurice Sly, Mike Drew, Chris Nesbit, Stephen Hill and current UH head coach Mark Taylor. In 2003, Orphanides accompanied the English Open Water team to the French Nationals, serving as the swimming coach. He also had the honor of carrying his country's flag at the World Championships in 2000.

Orphanides was a member of the Great Britain National Swim Team for over 10 years, competing at numerous International events, including World and European Championships. His best finish of 14th in the 5,000-meter race came at the 2001 Worlds in Fukuoka. Orphanides still competes in Masters swim meets and holds World and European records in both distance freestyle and IM events.

As a young swimmer, Orphanides was also coached to a sliver medal at the British Nationals by Taylor. Orphanies is single and lives in Houston.

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