Georgia Tech Head Coach Courtney Shealy Hart Departing after 15 Years
Georgia Tech head coach Courtney Shealy Hart announced on Wednesday that she is stepping down after 15 years at the helm to pursue professional opportunities away from the pool.
Hart was named Georgia Tech’s head coach in 2009-10. Under her tutelage, the Yellow Jackets men’s team has finished in the final top 25 rankings by CSCAA in six of the last seven seasons.
John Ames, the Yellow Jackets’ long-time diving coach, has been named the interim head coach.
“The decision to step down after 15-plus years leading the Georgia Tech swimming and diving program is an incredibly difficult one,” Hart said in a university statement. “I have been completely transparent with our team about the factors that led me to this decision, which first and foremost is my family, my greatest source of strength and support. Over the years, the demands of this role have grown, and I find myself needing more time to be present with them. As much as I love this program and each of our student-athletes, I must prioritize my family during this stage of my life. Additionally, I have experienced some health challenges that have made it increasingly difficult to meet the demands of this role. I have always prided myself on giving 100% to this team, but I now realize that I need to focus on my well-being to ensure that I can be there for my family and my future endeavors.
“Thank you to my team and coaches for their understanding and the incredible journey we’ve had together. I will always be rooting for them and look forward to seeing all of the amazing things they’ll do in the future.”
Hart coached 71 NCAA qualifiers, 21 All-Americans and 12 ACC individual champions. Hart has mentored 16 Olympians in Atlanta, including five at the Paris Games in 2024. She was on deck as the coach of Laotian Olympian Ariana Dirkzwager.
Hart was an Olympian in 2000, winning gold medals on the women’s 400 medley and 400 free relays in Sydney. A 26-time All-American and five-time national champion, Hart was named the NCAA’s Swimmer of the Year in 2000 at the University of Georgia.
That native of Columbia, South Carolina, was an assistant at the University of North Florida before two seasons as an assistant at Georgia Tech from 2007-09.
“On behalf of the entire Georgia Tech community, I extend our deepest thanks to Courtney for all that she has done for Tech swimming and diving and the Institute in her 15 years as head coach,” athletic director J Batt said. “Her commitment to the student-athletes in her program not only produced top-25 teams, ACC champions and All-Americans, but also hundreds of Georgia Tech graduates that have gone on to achieve great things in and out of the pool. We are very grateful for her years of service to the Institute and wish her nothing but the very best as she pursues her new professional aspirations, prioritizes her well-being and gets to spend well-deserved time with her family.”
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