Meet the 2025 Swim Team Coaches
Brendan is excited to start his Tenth year with the Greystone Gators! Over the last few years Brendan has be a part time coach with Marlins of Raleigh working with the top group. Over the last four years, Brendan has also been a Substitute Teacher for Wake County School System. Prior to joining Greystone, Brendan was a year-round swim coach in the Triangle area for nine years. He spent five years with New Wave Swim Team and four years as the Head Age Group Coach of the Y of the Triangle Area Swim Team (YOTA). In his time at Wave, he developed and trained swimmers of all ability levels.
While at Wave, he coached six swimmers to top ten national rankings in multiple events and three swimmers to top 100 all-time USA swimming rankings in multiple events. During his time at Wave, he coached swimmers to over 30 team records and 13 state records. In addition, he was selected to be the Head Manager for the 2013 USA Swimming Central Zone Select Camp and the 2014 USA Swimming Foundation Fantasy Camp. He was also the Head Manger for the 2013 North Carolina Zone team.
While at YOTA, Brendan lead a group of age group swimmers to six individual and three relay state records. He also coached swimmers to 25 new team records. During each of the four years Brendan coached at YOTA, the team had an increase in qualifiers for the major age group championship meets. Brendan led YOTA to their highest ever finishes this decade at the NCS Short Course Age Group Championships (4th) and the NCS Long Course Age Group Championships (3rd) in 2008. In addition, he was selected as a member of the 2007 and the 2008 NC Swimming Zone Team coaching staffs.
Before coming to YOTA, Brendan worked with one of the most dominant USA Swimming programs in the southeast and the entire nation - Dynamo Swim Club in Atlanta, Georgia. During his time at Dynamo, Brendan worked primarily with their top 12 & under swimmers, as well as with their developmental senior swimmers and their Masters group. While in Atlanta, Brendan also spent time as a volunteer assistant with the Emory University men's and women's swimming teams, both of which are NCAA Division III national powers.
Prior to his time with Dynamo, Brendan worked with Occoquan Swimming in Woodbridge, Virginia as a senior coach and team administrator. In addition, he has several years of experience teaching lessons for the storied Curl-Burke Swim Club (now called Nation's Capital Aquatic Program) in northern Virginia and Washington D.C. He has also served as an age group coach for the City of Charleston Swim Team in South Carolina.
Brendan has worked with some of the top coaches in the country, including Ed Spencer, former Head Coach at Dynamo, who is now serving as a Master Coach with USA Swimming. He has also worked with Pete Morgan at Curl-Burke who produced Olympic breaststroker Ed Moses.
Brendan holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from the College of Charleston. He is an ASCA level 5 certified coach. Brendan and his wife Erica have two boys, Hayden, age 15, and Ryder, age 13. They also have two Labrador Retrievers, Taco and Gladys.
I am excited to return for another season of Greystone Gator Swim Team, a community that has been such a meaningful part of my life since my family joined in 2004. I previously coached the Gators from 2008–2011, and after stepping away to focus on my career and raising my family, I was thrilled to return to the pool deck last year when my children, Gerard and Farley, joined the team. Being back in this role has reminded me how much I love coaching and being part of this program.
Originally from England, I swam year round before moving to the United States in 2004. After relocating, I continued my swimming journey with Greystone, which helped shape both my love for the sport and my connection to this community. Swimming has always been a huge part of my life, and I am especially passionate about ensuring that every child feels confident, safe, and capable in the water.
As a stay-at-home mom, I bring patience, energy, and a deep understanding of working with children of all ages. I care deeply about creating a positive, encouraging environment where swimmers can grow not only in skill, but also in confidence and teamwork.
During the Summer, when I’m not at the pool, you’ll likely find me at the tennis courts, going on adventures with my family, or cheering on my husband, Jeff, at the volleyball courts during the Growler.
I am grateful to Coach Brendan for the opportunity to return to coaching, and I look forward to continuing to support and inspire the next generation of Greystone swimmers. This season, I’m excited to be coaching swimmers all age groups and will also be offering private swim lessons. Please feel free to reach out if you’re interested or would like more information!
Once a Gator, always a Gator!
Hi!!
My name is Michaela Bridges, and I am SO excited to be back for my second year coaching the gators! I have been swimming with the gators since I was 7 years old, and finished my last year as a swimmer on the team this past summer. During my duration on the team, I have received the Coaches Award twice as well as Most Improved.
I am currently a rising sophomore at UNCW and am dual-majoring in Forensics and Psychology. Even though I’m no longer competing, my love for the sport and this team has only grown. I’m especially passionate about helping every swimmer build confidence, develop strong technique, and most importantly, enjoy their time in the water. I understand that every swimmer progresses at their own pace, and I strive to create a positive, encouraging environment where everyone feels supported and motivated.
I am so excited for another fun summer! Go gators!
Hi, my name is Avery Culley, and this will be my first year coaching with the Gators!
I swim year-round for the Marlins of Raleigh. My favorite stroke is breaststroke, and I have been a gator since I was 11. I am a rising junior at Broughton, have swam for my school for the past 2 years, and am very involved in my church! I am so excited for this summer!