Mike Ashmore begins his 25th year as Head Coach & General Manager of the Santa Maria Swim Club, having arrived in August 1999. Over that period, SMSC has seen great success competitively with a robust age group and Senior program. Coach Mike is an ASCA Level 5 certified coach.

On the Senior side of the program, Mike has created a respected Senior program. Mike has coached champions at everyt level, including Sectionals, Futures, Junior Nationals, Nationals and Olympic Trials. Highlights include:

• Developing 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist and American Record Holder in the 200 Breast, Josh Prenot.
• 2012 Olympic Trials Finalist and National Age Group and Southern California Record Holder Josh Prenot + Olympic Trials Qualifier Meghan Zimmer
• 2012 Southern California Age Group Coach of the Year
• 2012 American Swimming Coaches Association "Award of Excellence" 
• 2011 American Swimming Coaches Association "Award of Excellence" 
• 2008 Olympic Trials Qualifier Rachael Wahl
• 2004 Olympic Trials Qualifier Megan Palera
• Dozens of Junior National Qualifiers and Finalists
• Countless Senior athletes have gone on to swim in college.

Mike also teaches in the Department of Physical Education at Allan Hancock College, where he teaches Kinesiology and coaches the Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving Teams.

Matt Brown began coaching with SMSC in 2004 and in August of 2008 he became the pre-senior group coach.  Matt has been assisting with the senior group since his arrival at SMSC and from 2006 to 2008 he also coached the gold group.  The gold group performance was elevated to a whole new level in the two years that Matt coached it.  Prior to his arrival at SMSC Matt was the Head Coach and CEO of North County Aquatics in Paso Robles.  While at North County Aquatics Matt led the team to its highest ever team finish at Junior Olympics.  Matt has also been a coach at the University of Kentucky (1998), Wilderness Trace YMCA (1998-1999), McDowell Marlins (1999-2000), Centre College (1998-2000),  and Fresno State University (2000-2002).  Matt is a three year varsity letter winner at the University of Kentucky where he graduated in 1998 with a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science.   Matt is a member of the American Swimming Coaches Association, American College of Sports Medicine, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.  Matt is an ASCA certified Level 2 coach with education through Level 4. 

Sara Lougee is the Head Novice Coach for SMSC. Sara directly coaches the SILVER group and oversees the WHITEFIN, BLUEFIN and YELLOWFIN Groups.

Sara started Varsity Tennis at Ventura College and later became the Head Tennis Instructor for Fresno State Bulldog Camp for kids from 1983 to 1986. Sara graduated from Fresno State with a degree in Environmental Biology in 1985. Sara’s family started swimming for the Santa Maria Swim Club in 1993. Later Sara joined the Coaching Staff, taking the Bronze Group from three months per year to a group that participates year-round.

Sara has been instrumental in developing the Novice and 8-under parts of the Santa Maria Swim Club. Sara is a certified Water Safety Instructor with the American Red Cross and is also certified to teach Coaches Safety Training. Sara is also a member of the American Swimming Coaches Association and certified Level 2. Sara has also been competing in the Masters Swim program..

Deanna started coaching with SMSC in 2003 with the Bronze group. Over the years, she has been an assistant with the Silver group, assisted with all groups, including the Senior group.

Deanna is presently the GOLD GROUP LEAD COACH. 

Deanna had two children go through SMSC through graduation. She was the Head Coach for Orcutt Academy High School from 2012 - 2017 where they were frequent CIF Team Finalists.

Deanna is also the Assistant Coach for Allan Hancock College Women's Swimming & Diving program. 

Coach Jamie oversees our WHITEFIN program and assists with the BLUEFIN, YELLOWFIN and SILVER Groups.

Coach Jamie spent much of her youth swimming for SMSC and swam in the SMSC Senior group. Jamie competed for Orcutt Academy in her high school career. Jamie competed for Allan Hancock College for two years.

Jamie is currently in the Nursing program at Allan Hancock College.

Coach Larry coaches with the WHITEFIN, BLUEFIN, YELLOWFIN and SILVER Groups. He sometimes assists with the Senior group!

Larry swam for Pioneer Valley High School and then competed for Allan Hancock College for two years as part of the 2nd place Western States Conference Men's Team. Larry competed in the 500 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly and 1650 Freestyle for the Bulldogs.

Larry is presently enrolled in the Allan Hancock College EMT Academy.

Coach Gabe coaches with the WHITEFIN, BLUEFIN, YELLOWFIN and SILVER Groups. 

Gabriel swam for Santa Ynez High School and then competed for Allan Hancock College for two years as part of the inaugral Western States Conference Men's Team. Gabe was a 50 & 100 Freestyler for the Bulldogs, CCCAA State qualifier and part of Allan Hancock College relay school records. Gabe is now an assistant coach for the Bulldogs.

Gabe is currently enrolled at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Coach Jericho coaches with the WHITEFIN, BLUEFIN, YELLOWFIN and SILVER Groups. Jericho also trains in the SMSC Senior Group.

Jericho swam for Pioneer Valley High School and then competed for Allan Hancock College. As a freshman, Jericho set the Allan Hancock College 100 & 200 Breaststroke School Records and was a State Qualifier. Jericho was an all-Western State Conference All American for the 2023 season.

In his spare time Jericho enjoys knitting and fly fishing.