The St. Joseph’s Academy athletic department has announced that assistant coach Jimmy Roberts has been named head coach of the school’s swim team. Roberts takes over the program from SJA alumna Ali Buchart, a former swim team member and assistant coach who served as head coach since 2022. Buchart is stepping into the role of athletic director at St. Thomas More Catholic School in Baton Rouge.
Roberts joined the swim team staff in 2022. Prior to that, he served as an assistant coach for Catholic High School for 11 years.
“SJA athletics is thrilled to make this announcement,” said Athletic Director Erin Hart. “As an assistant coach, Coach Jimmy played an integral role in leading the SJA swim team to its 12th and 13th consecutive championships in 2022 and 2023. We look forward to supporting him as he steps into the role of head coach and continues to build on the success and strength of the swim program.”
Roberts swam collegiately, earning varsity letters at the University of Alabama and University of Southern Mississippi. He holds a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in sports and fitness management from the University of Southern Mississippi. He currently serves as a supply chain commercial specialist for Shell Chemical LP.
“I am looking forward to continuing to help the student-athletes at St. Joseph’s have a positive experience in a high school sport, learning teamwork, improving physical fitness, achieving success at all levels of swimming proficiency and growing relationships with fellow team members,” Roberts said. “I am looking forward to this season, continuing all of the traditions that make this team truly unique, helping the senior class finish their career with a memorable season and helping the freshmen learn the exceptional culture of the team. We are excited to compete for our 14th consecutive state championship.”
Nan Murtagh, who served as head coach of the SJA swim team for 25 years, will continue in her role as faculty moderator. “We have been so fortunate to have Coach Jimmy involved in our team for several years and now even more so that he is going to be our head coach,” she said. “His knowledge of swim techniques, his coaching ability and his strategic skills are phenomenal, and he is a great motivator with a wonderfully positive attitude. His expertise and coaching style are going to be a fabulous addition to our outstanding program. I am so excited for our team and for this season.”
In addition to coaching at SJA and CHS, Roberts is the former head coach of two state championship USA Swimming teams: Sunkist Swim Team of Jackson, Mississippi, and Crawfish Aquatics of Baton Rouge. Additionally, he coached three American teams in international competitions. But he is most excited about the next chapter of his coaching story.
“It is a great personal honor to be named the head coach of the best girls high school swimming team in Louisiana for the last 30 years,” he said. “The last two years as an assistant coach have been such a rewarding experience for me, from the laughter every day at practice, the overwhelming support and care for teammates at every meet, the fun we experience at all team dinners, socials and awards ceremonies and personally being able to share the SJA swimming experience with all three of my daughters. I am so excited to continue the journey.”
Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director