Conlon Tajes Coaching Reins at Case Western
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Sept. 11. CASE Western Reserve University has chosen a member of the NCAA Coaching Staff of the Year three out of the last four years as its new head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach.
That person is Christopher Conlon, who has spent the past five seasons as an assistant at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. The Johns Hopkins’ men have finished second in the nation the past two seasons and the women in the top ten. The coaching staff was named the NCAA Division III Coaching Staff of the Year in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
“Chris brings a wealth of experience to us from an outstanding program at Johns Hopkins,” said Interim Athletic Director Kristin Hughes. “We are anxious to get him on board so he can continue the success Coach Clark has created here at Case.”
Conlon, 32, brings his 13 years of coaching experience, in addition to 12 years of competitive swimming experience to University Circle effective immediately, September 12. He replaces Todd Clark, who built the program into a national contender during his 14 years at Case.
“I have been working for several years to move into a collegiate head coaching position,” said Conlon. “I’m really excited about the opportunity to expand some of the ideas that have been successful during my time at Hopkins and using them to help grow the program at Case.”
During that time the men's team finished as high as 13th in the country, and the women as high as seventh. Case also had 46 All Americans in 75 events, including two national champions.
“Both the men’s and women’s team (Case) are coming off excellent seasons and the kids are really excited about their success,” stated Conlon. “They are also excited for even more and so am I.”
Chris, will be moving his family to Cleveland this week. That includes his wife, Elizabeth, and their only child, son Joshua.
Conlon received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Natural Sciences from Johns Hopkins in 1993 and a Masters of Arts degree in Teaching in 1996. He is certified by the American Swim Coaches Association (Level 3 USS, Age Group, and NCAA IIII).