- 1st season as UNE Head Coach (2026-27)
- 1st season as NCAA head coach
Kathy Leahy was announced as the fourth-ever head coach of the UNE women's swimming program ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Leahy comes to UNE after 30 years guiding the Thornton Academy swim and diving teams in neighboring Saco. In recent seasons, the girls' squad has captured four straight conference championships, and placed third at the 2026 state meet. On the boys' side, after winning the conference crown, the Golden Trojans took second place at the 2026 Maine Class A Championships.
In addition to the coaching at Thornton Academy, she served multiple years in various officer roles for the Maine Interscholastic Swim League Coaches Association (president, vice president, secretary).
Leahy was a two-time All-American swimmer at the University of Maine at Orono. She captained the team as a senior, and claimed one event victory as the group won the New England Women's Intercollegiate Championship for the third time in her four years. Leahy left Orono as the program record-holder in the 50-yard freestyle, and contributed to records in three relays (200 medley, 200 freestyle, 400 freestyle).
She earned a bachelor's degree in Education from UMaine in 1987, then another in Physical Therapy from UNE in 1994. In 2006, Leahy attained a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Boston University.
Leahy is a current practicing physical therapist, and has been adjunct faculty at UNE since 2007. She also comes over to Biddeford as a certified swim and dive official.
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(updated July 2026)
