ATHENS, Ohio, November 1. AFTER 19 seasons leading the Ohio University Bobcats women’s swimming and diving team, Greg Werner is stepping down as head coach, with assistant coach Derick Roe getting the job of interim head coach during the search for a permanent replacement.
The athletic department’s statement was simple and straightforward: “We feel that we need to move the program in a different direction,” said Ohio University Athletics Director Jim Schaus. “We thank Greg for all of his commitment to the program and we wish him the very best in the future.”
Roe has only been at Ohio University for 13 months, joining the coaching staff in October. The exact reasons for the sudden firing was not known, though results from last season do not indicate a major drop in performance for the Bobcats. The team was second at the Mid-American conference meet, sent Laurin Williams to the NCAA championships and were mentioned by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America as a top scholar-athlete team.
The squad won its first dual meet of the year, beating Ball State 162-133.
An attempt to reach Werner by Swimming World today was unsuccessful.