Philip Franke (Head Coach) - Coach Phil started coaching for Ambush Swim Team in June of 2020, and later became the Head Coach in September of 2022. Prior to his coaching career he was a member of the Mike Moses Middle School Swim Team, Nacogdoches High School Swim Team, Doches' Dolphins Summer Swim Team, and the Ambush Swim Team. In his 6 years of competitve swimming he achived many milestones such as NHS Team Captain, District Champion, Regional Finalist, and State Finalist. He is currently studying Sports Business at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he plans to graduate in May 2023. 

Coach Phil's primary goals are to build good character into all his athletes and help them achieve their swimming goals of Region, State, Sectionals, Trials, or Olympics. He is dedicated to coaching his athletes to the best of his abilities. 

Achievements: 

• USA Swimming Certified Coach
• ASCA Level 2
• Ambush Assistant Coach 2020-2022
• Ambush Head Coach 2022 - Present 
• Doches' Dolphins Assistant Coach 2020 - 2022
• Doches' Dolphins Head Coach 2023 - Present
• East Texas Summer Swim League Treasurer 2022-Present

Hannah Richey (Nacogdoches Developmental & Junior Group) - Coach Hannah started coaching for Ambush Swim Team in the summer of 2022. Prior to her coaching career, she swam competitively for Mike Moses Middle School swim team, Nacogdoches High school swim team, Ambush swim team, and Doches' Dolphins Summer league team. In her 8 years of competitive swimming she gained many achievements such as NHS team captain, 3-time District Champion, Regional Finalist, and 4-time varsity letterman. Before her coaching career she was involved with our swim lesson program as a level 1, 2, and 3 instructor as well as head instructor. She is currently studying Kinesiology at Stephen F. Austin University, where she plans on graduating in May 2026. 

Coach Hannah loves working as an Ambush Coach and works extremely hard to ensure every kid is improving their swimming skills while having fun. 

Achievements: 

• USA Swimming Certified Coach
• Ambush Assistant Coach 2022-Present
• Doches' Dolphins Assistant Coach 2023

Coach Tonya has a long history of Coaching in East Texas.  Currently she is building a program with Hudson High School as the Charter Coach of the program and has enjoyed H.S. State qualifiers.

Coach Tonya has softened the overly competitive sports rivalries in East Texas and turned them to positive rivalries as she has coached and/or assisted with High School Swimmers from Huntington H.S. and Central Hights H.S.

Children of Coach Tonya and Coach Carrie (Nacogdoches H.S.) enjoy being team mates.

Erik Cozadd (Ambush Coach & Team Administrator) - Has been the Aquatics Director for both Lufkin & Nacogdoches pools since May 2007. His swimming background began as a freshman with the NHS swim team. In the fall of 1998 Erik began his collegiate three year swimming career as a fighting Cardinal at Wheeling Jesuit University, West Virginia. Erik earned his Bachelors in Psychology & Spanish in December 2002.

Erik's main duties with Ambush involve administrative work, but he also helps coach when needed. Now resides in his hometown of Nacogdoches with his daughter Ava.

Coaching Achievements:

• East Texas Swim Team/Ambush Coach 2007-2022
• Team Ambush Coach & Administrator 2012-2022
• Gulf Masters Swimming board member 2009-2011
• USA Swimming Meet Director Certified, CPO, LGI, ASCA Level I
• USA Swimming Coach Certified & Registered USA Swimmer

Swimming Achievements:

• Texas 5A State Qualifier 1997 & 1998 50 Freestyle
• Awarded Swimming Scholarship to Wheeling Jesuit University Spring 1998
• Bluegrass Mountain Conference Medalist 1999, 2000, & 2001
• Junior National Qualifier, ETEX 1998
• United States Masters Swimming member since 2007
• USMS Nationals 2008, 2009, 2015, 2017

Derek Theiss  – (Ambush Coach and Advisor) Derek has 16 years of competitive swim coaching under his belt including Head Summer League Coach, Assistant NOCH & Ambush Coach, and Head Ambush Coach. Derek graduated with a Kinesiology degree from Stephen F. Austin in May of 2022. He then followed his love of water polo and became the Head Coach of Water Polo at Nacogdoches High School in August of 2022. While with the High School he will take on the role of Advisor of Ambush by giving insight, help, and mentorship to coaches and athletes. 

Derek's main focus is helping each swimmer take the right steps at the right time towards competitive swimming. Another goal of his is to teach kids how to transfer the good things they learn in swimming into their daily lives.

Achievements:

• Space Cowboys Head Summer League Coach 2007-2008
• North Channel Nadadores Head Summer League Coach 2009-2012
• North Channel Age Group Coach 2009-2013
• Ambush Assistant Coach 2014-2018
• Ambush Head Coach 2018-2022
• NHS Head Water Polo Coach 2022-Present