GOLDEN, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines Men's and Women's Swimming Head Coach Claire McDaniel brought her 2023-24 coaching staff to full strength with the hiring of Gabby Hillis as an assistant coach.
 
Hillis brings an impressive resume to the Orediggers' pool deck. It includes a decorated collegiate career as a NCAA Division I swimmer in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and a plethora of coaching and athlete development experience in both Florida and Colorado. She bolsters a McDaniel-led staff featuring Joel White and Andy Foley. That trio guided the Orediggers' to seven all-America swims and a pair of top-30, national team finishes in 2022-23.
 
"Gabby's holistic approach to coaching is unique, and makes her an elite and exciting addition to our staff," said Coach McDaniel. "Her philosophy ideally aligns with our program vision. She is already impacting the team's mental health, performance, and happiness thanks to her impressive in-water and out-of-water experience. Despite the public stigma around the athletics rivalry between the University of Florida and the University of Georgia, I am fully supportive of her Gator background. Because in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), it just means more."
 
The New York City native most recently served in multiple roles with Highlands Ranch Aquatics in Highlands Ranch, Colo. She was the lead coach for swimmers ages 10-12 and assisted with all levels from beginner to national-level swimmers. Hillis also created the Mental Health Program for HRA and served as the program lead, presenting a series of mental health seminars for ages 10-18 along with additional mental health programming. She expanded her skills and expertise beyond the pool deck as well by earning her Nationwide Yoga Alliance Certification last year.
 
"Joining Mines' staff and team has been one of the best decisions I've ever made," said Hillis. "I've been around the world of swimming a while, and experienced a lot of different teams. In my short time as an Oredigger, I have already been awed by the wisdom, kindness, and holistic approaches the three other coaches bring to the table. It's truly special. Furthermore, the swimmers are such a dedicated, caring, and fun group to be around. I am so very lucky for this opportunity to grow and learn in such an awesome setting."
 
As a student-athlete, Hillis competed for the University of Florida from 2017-22. That included time under Head Coach Anthony Nesty who also still oversees the training of seven-time Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Ledecky. As a collegian, the freestyler qualified for the NCAA Division I Swimming & Diving Championships as a junior and senior, was a two-time College Swimming and Diving Coaches' Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-American, and appeared on the SEC Academic Honor Roll all five years of her career. Hillis also raced in the 50-free at the Phillips 66 National Championships, and the 2020 USA Swimming Olympic Trials. She was voted team captain at the University of Florida as a senior and currently holds six spots on UF's all-time, top-10 lists. Hillis departed Gainsville, Fla., with a bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Conservation. He brother Dillon also competed at the University of Florida from 2018-23.
 
Additional roles that bolstered the newest Orediggers' resume include lead coach at Columbine Country Club, Age Group Lead with the Gator Swim Club, and Camp Coach for the UAA UF Swim Camp which featured international campers and the best coaches in the world. Hillis joined the staff late in the fall of 2023 and will be on deck for Mines' push to the 2024 RMAC Swimming & Diving Championships and the 2024 NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Championships.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines swimming on "X" (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @minesswimming. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, "X" and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.