The Boaz Barracudas are thrilled to welcome back Josh Lang for his second season as Head Coach! With a coaching career beginning in 2001, Coach Josh brings over 25 years of deep expertise in competitive swimming and athlete development.

Coach Josh’s connection to the Barracudas spans over a decade, having served on the coaching staff for 11 years. In addition to leading the Barracudas, he is the owner and head coach of the Marshall County Swim Club (MCSC), a USA Swimming program in the Southeastern LSC, and serves as the head coach for the Boaz High School swim team.

Before his tenure in Boaz, Coach Josh was a dedicated competitive swimmer for 11 years with the Albertville Swim Team and spent seven years as their head coach.

Coach Josh has mentored countless successful swimmers, ranging from collegiate athletes to future coaches. Notably, he has helped train and mentor the entire current Boaz Barracuda coaching staff! As a father of three competitive swimmers, he is deeply passionate about fostering a team culture that is both supportive and challenging.

Coach Josh holds a wide array of professional certifications, including:

• USA Swimming Coaching Member
• ASCA (American Swimming Coaches Association) Certified
• AHSAA and NFHS Certifications
• Certified Lifeguard

Outside of the pool, Coach Josh is the Division Director for Physical Sciences at Snead State Community College. He holds a Master’s degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Materials Science, bringing a unique perspective on dedication and lifelong learning to our athletes. We are confident that Coach Josh’s leadership will continue to guide the Barracudas to new heights this season.

Colby Franklin joins the Boaz coaching staff this summer, bringing 11 years of competitive swimming experience to the team. A former standout athlete for MCSC, Arab, and Boaz High School, Colby reached the elite level as a nationally ranked breaststroker.

In addition to his competitive success, Colby has experience coaching with the Arab swim team. When he is not at the pool, Colby serves the community as a Firefighter and EMT for the City of Guntersville. We are excited to have his high-level technical expertise and leadership on the deck this season.

Brayden Sims joins the Boaz Barracudas coaching staff this summer as a first-year coach, bringing 14 years of competitive swimming experience to the team. A multiple record holder for both the Boaz Barracudas and Boaz High School, Brayden spent 13 years competing with the Barracudas alongside HSA and MCSC throughout his career, including a qualification to the NCSA Junior National Championships.

Brayden continues to compete at the collegiate level as a member of the NCAA swim team at Carson-Newman University. We are excited to have his passion for the sport and firsthand knowledge of this program on the deck this season.

Liza Kate Franklin is thrilled to return to the pool deck as a coach for the Boaz Barracudas. A lifelong swimmer, Liza Kate spent nine years swimming for Guntersville and five years with the Marshall County Swim Club (MCSC).

Her coaching background is equally extensive, having previously coached for both the Guntersville Aquacats and Guntersville High School. Outside of the pool, Liza Kate is a dedicated healthcare professional; she is a registered nurse currently working in the ICU at Marshall Medical Center South. Her commitment to excellence and care makes her a vital asset to our coaching staff.

With more than ten years immersed in the swimming world, Marissa is a valuable asset to our team. She's gained experience assisting developmental swimmers at MCSC and is a dedicated member of the SHS swim team. Marissa's compassion and teaching skills extend beyond the pool, as she also leads dance classes for children with disabilities, fostering joy and movement for all.