Prior to moving to Johnson City, Coach Chris was the Head Women’s Swimming Coach at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. Under his four-year tenure, the team won their collegiate Conference Championship every season. At the NCAA-II National Championships, his teams placed in the top 11 each year, with a high finish of fifth place. Coach Chris mentored one NCAA National Champion, a 2000 Olympic Trials qualifier, 15 NCAA-II All Americans, and 17 Academic All-Americans. His teams produced more than 100 All-American performances. His peers recognized his efforts by electing him Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Coach Chris also reestablished and ran a successful summer swim camp for age-group swimmers and taught courses at the University level.

Coach Chris assisted both the Men’s and Women’s Swimming Teams at Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, from 1992-1998. In that time, the team won six National Team Titles and had over 300 All-American performances. Coach Chris was also the Head Age-Group Coach of the Springfield Swim Club. In that capacity, he produced numerous State Champions and USA Swimming Zone qualifiers. He also served as the Head Coach for the Missouri Valley All-Star Team.

Coach Chris began coaching at the age-group level in Indianapolis, and later continued in Kansas City, Missouri, and Athens, Ohio. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to work with young people from Novice swimmers through Olympic hopefuls. In that time, he has stressed the positive opportunities that swimming affords the individual. "Swimming is a wonderful activity for all ages," states Chris. " It is a life-long sport that offers a healthy avenue for physical fitness in a society beset by chronic obesity. It provides a way for kids to learn life-skills such as dedication, goal-setting, personal responsibility, and commitment that they can carry over into their school work and, ultimately, their careers. It is also a great social outlet. Swimmers become friends with their peers in town and around the state and country."

In his spare time, Coach Chris enjoys running, biking, and participating in triathlons.  He is a 1979 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, and earned his Master's Degree in Physical Education at Ohio University.