Ron Lee II
- Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving Head Coach
“My goal is not to rebuild, but to extend and sharpen a culture already committed to excellence.”
About
Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach Ron Lee II brings extensive experience as a coach, educator, program administrator, and student mentor.
His coaching philosophy centers on the belief that lasting success grows from strong relationships, continual improvement, selflessness, and the formation of leaders of character.
Lee joined Norwich following 13 years leading the Amarillo Independent School District swimming program in Texas. There, he oversaw a four-campus program serving more than 100 student-athletes annually and developed it into one of the state’s consistent performers.
At Norwich, Lee leads programs with a proud history of conference championships, academic achievement, NCAA regional qualification, and record-setting performances.
Building Sustainable Success
As district-wide swimming coordinator and head coach in Amarillo, Lee managed a complex program spanning four campuses.
Despite limited facility access, he increased the program’s number of regional qualifiers from eight to 54 in five years. His teams won five district championships and earned two regional runner-up finishes while producing state medalists, finalists, team record holders, and future NCAA Division I and Division II student-athletes.
Lee also served as co-director and head coach of Amarillo Swim Team, a USA Swimming club serving approximately 100 athletes between the ages of 8 and 18.
His responsibilities included athlete recruitment, assistant coach development, budgeting, travel logistics, facility management, and long-term athlete development.
Coaching Highlights
- Spent 13 years leading the Amarillo Independent School District swimming program.
- Oversaw a four-campus program serving more than 100 student-athletes annually.
- Increased regional qualifiers from eight to 54 in five years.
- Led teams to five district championships.
- Recorded two regional runner-up finishes.
- Developed state medalists, state finalists, and team record holders.
- Helped student-athletes advance to NCAA Division I and Division II programs.
- Served as co-director and head coach of a USA Swimming club of approximately 100 athletes.
- Earned multiple District Swimming Coach of the Year honors.
Coach and Educator
Lee has spent more than a decade teaching International Baccalaureate History, AP European History, AP Psychology, and other humanities courses.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports and Exercise Science from West Texas A&M University and a Master of Theological Studies from Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. His graduate work emphasized theological formation and ethics.
His experience as both a coach and educator informs a holistic philosophy focused on developing students in the classroom, in competition, and throughout their lives.
“You cannot give what you do not have,” Lee said. “I firmly believe that transformed people transform people, and authentic cultures grow from this conviction.”
Continuing a Tradition of Excellence
Lee inherited a Norwich program that captured nine Great Northeast Athletic Conference championships during the previous seven seasons, including four consecutive men’s and women’s championship sweeps from 2023 through 2026.
Rather than viewing the position as a rebuilding project, he intends to build upon the foundation established by former head coach Jennifer Cournoyer and coach Chris Delmas.
“The Norwich Swimming and Diving teams already have a pattern for success, and I feel a profound gratitude that Ed Hockenbury has entrusted me with serving these student-athletes and continuing the excellence they have built,” Lee said.
Why Norwich
Lee was drawn to Norwich by the University’s emphasis on character, service, education, and leadership.
“The more I learn about Norwich, the more impressed I become,” Lee said. “Norwich has a storied history rich in character, service, and excellence, where success matures from a community committed to the formation of leaders. Success is rarely accidental; it is patterned, and my attraction to Norwich grew out of this shared commitment.”
Lee seeks student-athletes who value teamwork, education, discipline, and continual improvement while taking pride in competing for Norwich.