Fred Lamback’s Legacy of Standing Up for Athletes, Meeting Them Where They Are, and Believing in Who They Can Become

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic community mourns the passing of Fred Lamback III, a beloved coach, mentor and tireless advocate whose lifelong dedication to swimmers with disabilities helped shape Para swimming in the United States. Lamback passed away Dec. 12, 2025, at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy defined by inclusion, generosity and an unwavering belief in the potential of every athlete. 

Born Feb. 16, 1941, in Augusta, Georgia, Lamback’s relationship with the water began as a child at the local YMCA and evolved into a lifetime devoted to sport. A self-taught swimmer and passionate triathlete, he served as a corpsman assistant in the U.S. Navy before spending more than four decades working in Augusta while coaching on evenings and weekends. No matter his schedule, the pool deck was where Fred felt most at home. 

Those who knew him best describe Fred as a quiet Southern gentleman whose humility, compassion and enthusiasm left a lasting impression. Teresa Coan, longtime coach and mother of seven-time Paralympic medalist McKenzie Coan, first met Fred in 2003 when her daughter was just beginning her swimming journey. 

“He stood in every athlete’s corner,” Coan said. “He possessed a humility beyond belief and was compassionate, enthusiastic and motivational. He led by example. He was a friend, a mentor and someone I strive to mirror every day in my own coaching career.” 

Lamback’s coaching philosophy was simple and deeply human: stand up for your athletes, meet them where they are and never stop believing in what they can become. Longtime official and colleague Glenda Orth recalled how Fred would always begin conversations with officials the same way — “Now lookie here.” He never argued. He asked questions, advocated respectfully and defended his swimmers with quiet conviction. Whether a swimmer’s stroke was technically perfect or not, Fred made sure they were treated fairly and supported fully. 

He traveled extensively throughout Georgia, holding weekend practices for athletes with disabilities, many of whom had never been invited into competitive sport spaces before. Through his work with BlazeSports America, Wounded Warrior programs and local swim organizations, Lamback became a trusted presence for athletes and parents alike. His smile, his stories and his genuine care made him a fixture on pool decks across the region. 

Fred’s impact extended far beyond local programs. He was recognized nationally as USA Swimming’s Disability Coach of the Year, an honor that reflected not only competitive success but the countless lives he changed through mentorship and opportunity. Ashley Lamback, a four-time Paralympic medalist, shared that Fred viewed success differently than most. 

“Success in the Paralympics isn’t judged by winning gold medals, but by representing your country to the best of your abilities,” he often told athletes. Win or lose, Ashley said, Fred always had their backs and pushed them to be their best both in the pool and in the classroom. His service to Team USA was matched by his devotion to helping recently discharged military personnel find new purpose and passion through sport. 

In 2012, Lamback’s vision took on a lasting form with the creation of the Fred Lamback Para Open, affectionately known as “The Fred.” Hosted in Georgia, the meet grew into one of the most meaningful Para swimming events in the country, sanctioned by USA Swimming and embraced by U.S. Paralympics Swimming. Teresa Coan’s Cumming Waves Swim Team proudly hosted the event in 2023, 2024 and 2025, celebrating everything Fred brought to life for athletes. 

“We quickly realized his impact went far beyond the lane lines,” Coan said. Volunteers were so inspired that many went on to learn more about Paralympic swimming and adaptive sports across the board, all because of one man’s dream. 

McKenzie Coan, a seven-time Paralympic medalist and a regular presence at the meet, reflected on Fred’s influence both personally and within the broader Para swimming community. 

“From my very first Blaze practice at eight years old, his larger-than-life kindness made me feel like I belonged,” Coan said. “He gave me my nickname, Bigmac, guided me toward my goals and allowed me to be a kid, not just a swimmer.” She credits Fred’s constant belief, humor and presence — often beginning conversations with “now lookie here” — for shaping both the swimmer and the person she became. 

For Paralympic swimmer McClain Hermes, Fred Lamback’s influence was life-changing. After losing her eyesight, Hermes dreamed of becoming an Olympic swimmer but did not know where that dream belonged until she met Fred at the first Fred Lamback disability meet in 2012. He introduced her to Paralympic swimming, invited her to join an adaptive team and welcomed her family into a community built on belief and hard work. 

“Every Saturday for years, my family and I made the hourlong drive to practice,” Hermes said. Under Fred’s guidance, she set American and world records, made her first national team, competed internationally and ultimately became a Paralympic swimmer. “Coach Fred always encouraged me to follow my dreams, even when they felt like a long shot. I would not be the athlete I am today without his influence.” 

U.S. Paralympics swimmer and Georgia native Lindsay Grogan echoed that sentiment, crediting Fred with helping her find a pathway into the Paralympic Movement. 

“I had the dream of competing in the Paralympics, but I didn’t know how to get involved until Fred found me,” Grogan said. He calmly guided her toward the right meets, the right training environment and a year-round commitment to the sport. Now a full-time coach, Grogan sees his legacy come full circle as she introduces new athletes with disabilities to Para swimming and brings them to the Fred Lamback Para Open. “He was calm, funny, even-keeled and a truly great coach,” she said. 

Fred’s impact was felt deeply within his own family as well. His son, Lantz Lamback, an eight-time Paralympic medalist, remembers lessons that extended far beyond swimming. Fred instilled discipline, a strong work ethic and a deep respect for human life, encouraging his children to pursue passions inside and outside the pool and to remain well-rounded individuals committed to helping others. 

Fred Lamback was, above all else, a mentor, a connector and a believer in people. His legacy lives on in the athletes he coached, the meet that bears his name and the countless moments of confidence and belonging he helped build along the way. His impact will continue to ripple through pool decks, podiums and communities for generations to come.