ANN ARBOR, Michigan. April 17. UNIVERSITY of Michigan men's swimming head coach Bob Bowman announced that he will be leaving the program following the Beijing Olympics to assume chief executive officer responsibilities at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club and will prepare swimmers for Olympic and international competition.
Bowman will continue in his capacity as U-M head coach, including with the Wolverine Swim Camps, and as the Club Wolverine high performance coach through the 2008 Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb. (June 29-July 6).
"This is a professional business opportunity that I felt I needed to pursue," Bowman said. "It has been a privilege and honor for me to coach at the University of Michigan, and my four years here have been extremely meaningful. I have enjoyed working with the student-athletes and representing the University, and I plan to continue a close relationship with U-M for a long time to come."
"I am sorry to see Bob leave, but this was an unexpected, rare business opportunity that he could not pass up," said U-M director of athletics Bill Martin. "This has been an exciting time for Michigan swimming, and I'm happy that he was able to conclude his tenure here on a high note with a Big Ten championship. I look forward to continuing a relationship with him."
Bowman concluded his fourth season as U-M's head coach in March, guiding the Wolverines to the 2008 Big Ten Conference title and a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. In four seasons, he compiled a 30-8-1 record in dual meets, including 21-1-1 against Big Ten opponents.
The Wolverines finished among the top eight nationally all four years during Bowman's tenure, including sixth-place finishes in 2005 and 2008. At the Big Ten Championships, U-M finished third in 2005 and 2006, missed capturing the Big Ten title by just four points in 2007, and improved on that runner-up finish by winning the 2008 championship in front of a home crowd at Canham Natatorium. Twice Bowman earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors (2007 co-recipient, 2008), and he mentored three swimmers to six NCAA individual titles.
Special thanks to the University of Michigan for contributing this article.