In a career that includes such accomplishments as guiding Michael Phelps to unparalleled heights in swimming, Bob Bowman will add one more accolade: Olympic head coach.
Bowman will be head coach of the 2016 U.S. Olympic men’s swim team, his first time at the helm of the Olympic squad. He had served as assistant coach at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games, where his primary task at each meet was seeing Phelps through some extraordinary performances.
“I got a text from Frank Busch saying ‘Please call me,'” Bowman said after the announcement. “When he told me I said, ‘Are you kidding me?'”
The 51-year-old had previously served as head coach of an international squad at the 2007, 2009 and 2013 world championships. He was also an assistant at the 2014 Pan Pacific championships, which marked Phelps’ first meet in his return to competition.
It’ll be a busy 11 months for Bowman leading up to the Rio Olympics. In addition to the preliminary duties he’ll handle as head Olympic coach, he’s also going to be busy in his first season as head coach at Arizona State University. Bowman was hired as the head coach at ASU in April. He’s also leading a strong elite squad in Tempe, Ariz., including Phelps, Allison Schmitt, David Nolan and more.
Bowman will be leading an Olympic team that will look to bounce back from what was perceived as a subpar week at the FINA world championships last month. The men’s team only won two gold medals (the 400 medley relay and Ryan Lochte in the 200 IM) out of 10 total in Kazan. Many inside USA Swimming have been quick to point out that the squad did not include Phelps and a couple others who performed well at the U.S. nationals.
“I’m so grateful to so many people who allowed me to stand here today,” Bowman said. “I’d like to mention the head Olympic I served under: Eddie Reese, Mark Schubert, Gregg Troy. Those are just icons in the sport and to be considered in their company is an honor and I’m truly humbled.
“I’m excited to get to work on … things we can do as a team. The strength of a swimming nation is on its relays, … and right now we could be better. I look forward to working toward the next year with our athletes to get them ready for when the time comes. The time you put in today will make the difference between going to Rio and not (going), between winning a medal and not (winning a medal).
“As a staff, we are committed to making the USA the number one team there, and do it in a way that everyone enjoys it, and is a part of what is happening. Every person on that team will contribute, and every person has to contribute to make it happen.”
Congrats, Bob!
Congratulations Bob
NICE!!!!!!! Love this man!
Congratulations!
Not that he’s not good enough on his own merit, but ……. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was pre-arranged. Phelps doesn’t know how to swim for anyone else.
? is this the reason why he won all his olympic medals – because he does not know how to swim?
bowman wasn’t headcoach at the olympics 2008 and also not at the 2012 olympics.
it doesn’t matter for wich olympic headcoach he is swimming – bowman is his coach.
they trust each other and thats the most important thing between a coach and a swimmer.
everyone can be blessed to be coached by him – he made phelps the best swimmer in the whole world. think there is no doubt – am i right?!
Yeah, so that’s not my point. Maybe you missed the “It’s not like he’s not good enough on his own merit”. Moreover never did I say he doesn’t know how to “swim”. Read it again.
My point was clearly Phelps can get whatever he wants, and that means taking his own coach so he can get through the Olympics, which means He doesn’t perform well when the factors aren’t predictable, as in not his only coach he’s ever had. Not all of us are lucky enough to be able to stay with the same coach for decades. That was my point.
Bob and David have the most people on the National Team. That is why they are head coaches.
I just find it ironic
I don’t find it ironic… I find it makes common sense ?
?
nice!!! we want more champions, we want more champions, we want more champions
YES
Abdelrahman Ahmed
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Congrats Mr. Bowman
Congrats!
Congratulation
Nice …. Good jobs
Uy
Nice and congrats
That’s a shocker
Listened to two presentations at the World Clinic by Bob today-he will be a great asset for Team USA