The Owensboro Marlins have recently hired Bill Carpenter to be the team’s new head coach. Taking over at the beginning of February, the Owensboro native returned to his stomping ground four years ago after living in North Carolina for 33 years.
Carpenter was approached by the Board of Directors in late December and after going through the process he was offered the position.
“The Marlins are a lot like Owensboro,” Carpenter said. “Owensboro is a very family-oriented town, and the Marlins I found in working with the board members and the parents I have come in contact with are very oriented and geared towards helping their children succeed. I have been tasked with that with the support of the board of directors. That is what we will strive and proceed to do.”
While in North Carolina, Carpenter coached the Rocky Mountain team, growing them from 35 members to 65 members. He later coached the Raleigh Community team and grew them from around 40 members to a whopping 120 members.
With his eyes set on replicating his success, Carpenter plans to build a strong infrastructure within the Marlins.
“I mentioned to the Board Directors that having a good coaching staff and parental involvement and through that building a positive atmosphere that enables the swimmers to be in a positive environment,” Carpenter said. “I want them to strive and be their best. From that aspect, you are teaching them to be positive teammates and learning skills that are going to help them to be viable later on in whatever endeavors they may encounter and pursue.”
A yearlong competitive swim team made up of athletes from all over the local areas, the Marlins are made up of kids from four years old to high school. Currently consisting of 75 members, the swimmers are broken into the mini-Marlins, development group, silver, gold, and senior divisions. The team competes in a short course season from September through March and then the long course season that’s through May, June, and July.
In the short run, Carpenter wants to help his athletes reach the upcoming state competition.
“The goal is to grow and have a topflight program that promotes and supports each individual that comes through the program,” Carpenter said. “And to grow and become better people.”
