Coaching and Athletic Career

• Coach Bates completed his second season as head coach in 2023 with the women's team gaining the best finish in program history with a ninth place overall at the NAIA Swimming & Diving National Championships. The men's team finished 11th in the nation..
• In his first season as head coach in 2022, Bates led the Mustangs to their highest national ranking in program history for both the men and women.
• Several program records were set under his leadership, including the best-ever finish by a Mustang at the NAIA Championships (Emma McMurray, fourth-place 100-yard fly).
• Curren's goal is to "continue to build a program that can compete at the elite NAIA level and who’s love and commitment to Christ and Scripture is evident to everyone in the pool and on the deck."
• Co-founded Mariner Aquatic Club that coached multiple CIF qualifiers.
• Previously coached at Saugus High School.
• Swam at California Baptist University, where he won an NAIA National Championship and finished as Runner-Up.
• Multi-time CIF qualifier in four years at Hart High School, where the team finished as CIF Runner-Up his senior year.
• Bates is a five-time World Body Surfing Champion. 
• Worked five years as an LA County Beach Lifeguard and was a USLA National Lifeguard Champion.
• Graduated from TMU with a bachelor’s degree in business.
• Curren and wife Lynlee, also a graduate of TMU, have one son and another one on the way. They live locally in Newhall.