Coaching Staff

Marshall Dortch

Head Coach

I love the sport of swimming. I have been involved with club swim teams since I was six years old. I respect all the parts that make a swim team whole. I feel like swimming gave me many opportunities and opened many doors career-wise for me. Since my last day of competing, I have felt it was my obligation to give back to the sport that taught me so much. I owe all the coaches I was lucky enough to swim for (Richard Thornton-SRVLA, Peter D. Malone-Kansas City Blazers, Gary Kempf-Kansas Swim Team) a big debt of gratitude. These coaches, as well as Steve Morsilli of PLS, taught me about the art of swimming as well as how it translates into everyday life. I spend my early mornings and late afternoons preaching these same things and more to my swimmers.

In my spare time I enjoy spending as much time as possible with my wife Monica and sons Zachary and Cody. Long walks in the evening and trips to the park are a daily routine. I also enjoy being around the coaches on my staff, they are my family and such an important part of my life.

Darien Chan

Senior Program Coach

Darien began swimming at the tender age of 5 years old and has never stopped training. During college he began coaching and found his way to the Gators where he has been an active coach since 2016.  As an advocate for the benefits of swimming, and a deep desire to help young athletes reach their potential in and out of the pool Darien began to coach our Senior Elite level swimmers in 2019.

Darien spends his day as a nurse giving him the flexibility to continue his passion to coach and mentor swimmers.  Most days you will find Darien on deck at Mills College working with our older swimmers but he is always happy to step in and work with any age group as the need arises.

Adu Mahgoub

Senior Program Coach

Swimming Background

• Competed for Egyptian National Team at World Championships (2019)
• Competed at State Championships for DVC (2018)
• Olympic Trials Qualifier 
• Alameda Gators Swimmer- 2 years
• Walnut Creek Aquabears Swimmer- 2 years 

Bret Garvine

Head Age Group Coach

I am entering my seventh year as a coach for the Ala-Gators, and have been loving every second of it. My coaching philosophy is to have the kids always strive for their best. This will not only yield good results in the pool but life-long lessons as well. Knowing you gave it your all is a great feeling, and is more important than any blue ribbon.

I have recently completed my B.A. In Environmental Studies from Cal State East Bay (Go Pioneers!). I'm still waiting for the perfect job (one that allows me to keep coaching!). In my free time I love to do anything outdoors, but especially on the ocean. On any given day you can find me surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, or backpacking. My loving and wonderful girlfriend Tanya accompanies me on many of these trips.

If there is one thing I want my swimmers or parents to know is that I like to be asked questions. A swimmer should know exactly what they are trying to do in any given pool situation. If you don't know or understand, ask!

Jared Thompson

Age Group Coach

I began my experience with swimming when I joined the Gators at age 8, where I spent 10 years working my way through the groups. When I entered high school, I swam for their swim team as well as played on the Water polo team. For those four years I was under the guidance of Coach Marshall and absorbed much of what I know from him, and use many of his coaching techniques with the athletes I work with.

With my time being split between work and coaching, I find time to do what I enjoy. Along with swimming, I love the game of water polo, and play whenever I get the chance. I coach Varsity Women's water polo for Alameda High School, along with the U12 water polo group for the Neptunes water polo club. Between all of these teams, I enjoy sharing my knowledge with the many age group athletes. I consider this team a family and do what I can to keep my swimmers happy and make sure they have fun at every practice.

Ariel Pun

Age Group Coach

I am a recent graduate of Alameda High School and started coaching with the Gators in 2014. In my four years at AHS I competed as both a swimmer and a water polo player. Coached by both Leslie and Marshall I quickly fell in love with water sports. Over the course of four years not only have I learned what it takes to be a successful athlete but also everything that comes with being on a team. I want my swimmers to both enjoy the time they spend at practice but also create friendships with their teammates that will they take beyond the pool.

Currently I am a student at Cal State East Bay and majoring in Kinesiology. I balance commuting to school four days a week and going to work on a regular basis. Besides this I enjoy playing water polo in my free time and spending time with friends and family. If there are any other questions please come and talk to me! I am more than happy to answer to the best of my ability and would love to get to know all my swimmers

Amelia McDonald Busenitz

Age Group Coach

Swimming Experience

• Avid Surfer and open water swimmer
• Competitive Swimmer at USF freshman year
• Competitive club swimmer for USF Barracudas in SF (10 years)
• High School Varsity Swimmer at Lowell High School