Alabama Adds Olympian Catie DeLoof to Staff
Alabama on Tuesday hired Catie DeLoof as an assistant coach to its swimming and diving team.
DeLoof joins the staff of Margo Geer, a fellow national teamer five years her senior. DeLoof swam at the University of Michigan and was part of the women’s 400 freestyle relay that won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. She is familiar with the SEC, having trained as a postgrad at the University of Tennessee.
DeLoof fell just shy of the Paris Olympics, tying for sixth place and losing a swim-off to training partner Erika Connolly for the final prelims relay spot.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity to join a great staff and work with such a talented group of athletes,” DeLoof said in a university statement. “I am excited to see what we can achieve together in and out of the water and continue building momentum for the program. Roll Tide!”
DeLoof was a 14-time All-American, five-time Big Ten champ and three-time conference runner-up at Michigan, graduating in 2019. The 27-year-old swam professionally in the International Swimming League. She won three gold medals with the U.S. at the 2019 World University Games. At the 2023 Pan American Games, she did what Geer did in 2019 by returning five medals, with bronze in the 50 and 100 free and three relay silvers.
DeLoof also finished seventh in the women’s 50 freestyle at Olympic Trials in 2024, her fourth Olympic Trials. She has coaching experience with age-group swimmers from Michigan Swim Camps from 2016-19.
“Catie is an exceptional addition to our coaching staff,” Geer said. “Her extensive experience in high-level competition, combined with her dedication and enthusiasm will undoubtedly make a positive impact on our program. Catie’s passion for teaching the sport and developing skill and character has been evident from the beginning of this process. She is a great fit for this role, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Tide!”
