BREAKING NEWS: Kentucky Add Matt Martinez, Cauli Bedran from Wisconsin Badgers to Swimming Coaching Staff because of…….view more

BREAKING NEWS: Kentucky Adds Matt Martinez, Cauli Bedran from Wisconsin Badgers to Swimming Coaching Staff Because of Program Overhaul, Olympic Focus

In a bold move signaling a new era for Kentucky Swimming and Diving, the University of Kentucky has announced the hiring of Matt Martinez and Cauli Bedran, two rising stars from the University of Wisconsin’s coaching staff. The additions come as part of a comprehensive program overhaul aimed at elevating Kentucky’s national standing and building a stronger Olympic development pipeline.

Martinez and Bedran, both highly regarded for their technical expertise and athlete development acumen, were instrumental in Wisconsin’s recent surge in the Big Ten and NCAA rankings. Their departure from Madison comes as a surprise to many in the swimming community, but their move to Kentucky is already being hailed as a potential game-changer.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Matt and Cauli to Big Blue Nation,” said Kentucky Head Coach Lars Jorgensen. “Their track record with elite swimmers, their innovative training methodologies, and their passion for developing student-athletes align perfectly with our vision for the future of this program.”

Matt Martinez, known for his focus on stroke mechanics and sprint development, helped lead Wisconsin’s men’s team to several top-10 finishes in relay events over the past two seasons. Meanwhile, Cauli Bedran, a former international sprinter turned coach, has gained a reputation for his work with high-performance athletes and bringing a data-driven approach to race strategies.

Sources within the program cite Kentucky’s recent investment in facilities, athlete support services, and its ambitions to be a consistent top-10 NCAA team as major reasons for the staff shake-up. The Wildcats are also positioning themselves to be a central hub for Olympic hopefuls ahead of Paris 2028 and Los Angeles 2032.

The hires mark a significant statement of intent from the Kentucky athletic department, signaling that the Wildcats are not content with being SEC contenders—they want to be national and international powerhouses.

“It’s about taking that next step,” Jorgensen added. “Bringing in coaches of this caliber sends a clear message: Kentucky Swimming is ready to compete with the best.”

With recruiting heating up and the NCAA season looming, all eyes will now be on how quickly Martinez and Bedran can make an impact in Lexington.