Coaches
Coaches & Directors
Our Coaching Staff are certified in Swim Coach Safety trainings as well as USA Swimming certified coaches. For any questions regarding the coaching staff, please email the Director & Head Coach Jackson McDonough
Jackson McDonough is the Director and Head Coach of the Rip-Tides Swim team/RIMA Swimming Providence Branch and the Aquatics Programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence. He is a Certified Pool Operator, Water Safety Instructor, and Lifeguard Manager.
The 2025–26 season marked Jackson’s fourth year with the program. He began as an Assistant Coach and Head Lifeguard in his first year before advancing to Assistant Head Coach and Aquatics Coordinator in his second year. Jackson now serves as the Director of Aquatics & Head Swim Team Coach, as well as a RIMA Swim League board member.
Among the highlights of his career so far are a 1st place Team finish at the B&GC National Championship in 2026, and earning RIMA Swim League Coach of the Year for his first year as Director in 2024-2025, prior to joining the league’s board for the 2025-2026 year.
Coach Jackson was a competitive swimmer for 13 years, learning to swim at the Boys & Girls Club, Swimming on Three Different USA Swim Teams qualifying for championship meets as high at NE Senior Championships, USA Swimming Sectionals, and USA Swimming Futures Championships; A High School Swim team Division I where Jackson was a school record holder, and eventually swimming for a Division I College as a conference finalist.
Jackson Swam a 21.2 50 Freestyle, 52.6 Seconds in the 100 Yard Backstroke and a 46.5 100 yard Freestyle, as well as a 53 Second 100 Yard Butterfly and still holds the school record at La Salle Academy since 2017.
Coming from experiencing swimming at all levels and competing in selective invitational meets across the country, Jackson is excited to grow the program to high competitive levels and use knowledge from the many coaches Jackson learned from.
Jackson's Coaching & Directing Career highlights
- 1st Place Finish at 2026 B&GC National Swimming Championships
- Managing Branch of USA Swimming travel team; coached at NE Senior Championships and Age Group Championships the last few years.
- Leading team fundraising and special events.
- RIMA League Board Member as of Fall 2025
- 2025 Coach of the Year award recipient
- RIMA Age Group Champions
- 2025 15-18 year old Boys RIMA Swimming Champions
- 2026 11-12 year old boys and girls RIMA Swimming Champions
- Top 3 Finish at B&GC National Swimming Championships in 2024 & 2025
- Top 3 Team Finish at RIMA Swimming Championships in 2024, 2025, 2026
- 1st place finish at 2023 RIMA Swimming Championships
Emily will be working primarily with the Mini & Junior groups and has a long history with this team and pool. Swimming at Fox Point throughout her entire childhood and spent high school years lifeguarding, teaching swim lessons, and coaching younger swimmers. In High School, Emily also swam for USA Swim Team, Kingfish Swimming Rhode-Island.
This community has always held a special place for Emily, and is so excited to be back in a new role "helping our swimmers grow, improve, and have fun" Emily also have a younger sister on the team—Juliana (15).
Zavier will be coaching the Dry-land Program! In addition to his experience as a lifeguard and swim instructor, Zavier was a former student athletics trainer at UMass Dartmouth. He is currently furthering his knowledge of human physiology as a paramedic student. This allows him to blend strength training with a deep understanding of body mechanics. You will often find him in the gym, as strength training is a hobby he enjoys. Zavier also is a Lifeguard & Swim Instructor for the Providence Boys & Girls Clubs
"My belief is that overall strength and injury prevention should come first before specialization in any sport. These along with proper nutrition are the most important.”
Lilly has been working at the Clubs for a few years now and is excited to start helping coach the swim team!
Full Bio Coming Soon
Sun-Jin will be working with all swimmers on the team on technique and skills. A current swimmer for the Club Team at Brown University, and former swimmer for an elite program out of New York. Sun-Jin brings experience and knowledge to the program, and is very excited to help with all swimmers skill refinement and confidence in the water. Sun-Jin will be working with athletes during the academic school year.
Logan helps Coach at the Swim Meets at Fox Point, and is also a Swim Instructor, Lifeguard, and Coach during the College Breaks and Summertime. Logan is currently a student at Emerson College. In high school, Logan swam competitively for the Rip-Tides Swim Team under Coach Jeff and Coach Jackson. It is great having alumni give back to the program!
Lilybee Wilcox, is an assistant coach for the Rip-Tides swim team during school-breaks and summers. She currently is a college student at Simmons College. When coaching, she works with the Junior and Mini programs, mostly. She has been helping coach for 4 years, and before graduating high school, swam for 10 years on the Rip Tides swim team under Coach Jeff and Coach Jackson. She also swam for the Classical High School!
Lilybee loved swimming on this team, and loves coaching just as much. Her events were backstroke and the 200 IM. Lilybee loves teaching and watching the swimmers improve, while also connecting with the swimmers, whether it's about swimming itself or what they are learning in school. As a former swimmer for the Rip-Tides, it is great to have Lilybee as a part of our staff.