LSU Names Richard Salhus Assistant Swimming Coach
Richard Salhus has been named an assistant on LSU swimming and diving coach Rich Bishop’s staff, the school announced Thursday.
Salhus has spent the last three years at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Salhus managed the Black Knights’ distance and middle distance groups; among his mentees was 2022 Patriot League mile champion and school record holder Ian Tansill.
“I’d like to express my gratitude to Rick Bishop and the administration for providing me with the great opportunity to join the LSU program,” Salhus said in a university statement. “I’ve always admired Coach Bishop and the academic, athletic, and Olympic accomplishments of the LSU student-athletes. My family and I are thrilled to be moving to Baton Rouge, and I am looking forward to working with the student-athletes and continuing the LSU swimming and diving legacy. Geaux Tigers!”
Army won 17 league titles and set 12 school records in Salhus’ three seasons. He oversaw five all-conference athletes and six swimmers reaching NCAA B standards.
Salhus started his college coaching career at his alma mater, the University of Iowa, where he oversaw recruiting for the men’s and women’s teams. In three seasons, he worked with nine individual and two relay NCAA qualifiers. He previously worked at Iowa Flyers Swim Club, leading three Olympic Trials qualifiers.
“We are excited to have Rich join the LSU Swimming staff,” Bishop said. “Rich’s experience working with Iowa and Army West Point as a great recruiter will enhance our global reach and help us to continue to draw the best student-athletes from around the globe to LSU. As a coach on deck, Rich worked with NCAA qualifiers at Iowa and conference finalists at Army. His breadth and depth of coaching from developmental Age Group coaching to NCAA & International level swimmers will add great strength to our coaching staff.”
The native of Johannesburg, South Africa, was a four-year letterwinner at Iowa, graduating in 2011. He trained in Great Britain, where he held several Devon County records and medaled at the Great Britain Open Championships. He was a member of the South African junior national team and qualified for its Olympic trials and senior nationals.
