Peter Richardson Hired as New Arizona Swimming and Diving Assistant Coach

Peter Richardson will join the staff at the University of Arizona after eight seasons at the University of Pacific; Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Peter Richardson, who spent eight seasons as head coach of the University of Pacific, will reportedly join the staff at the University of Arizona, sources have confirmed for Swimming World. Richardson replaces outgoing coach Cory Chitwood, who recently took a job at Indiana University. Arizona recently parted ways with Chitwood and fellow Arizona assistant Beth Botsford.

Richardson comes to Arizona after spending eight seasons at Pacific and six seasons at Fresno Pacific University. Four different swimmers won Mountain Pacific Sports Federation titles in 2018 under Richardson’s tutelage. Mason Miller won the 100 butterfly in 46.24, Angel Alcala won the 200 fly (1:45.31), Angela Gagliardo won the 200 breaststroke (2:13.24) and for the third time, Yahav Shahaff won the 100 breaststroke. For five consecutive years the program had sent athletes to NCAA post season with senior Kenna Ramey qualifying in 2018. Pacific did not qualify any swimmers for NCAAs in 2019.

The 2018 season was one for the record books. For the first time in history, the Pacific men achieved an NCAA “A” cut in a relay with Shahaff, Dylan Toy, Miller and Miles Mackenzie swimming a 1:17.29 in the 200 freestyle relay (19.8/19.4/18.9/19.0). They earned the NCAA A cut by 0.4 seconds. All five mens’ relay records were broken and two of the women’s. At the MPSF Championships, the Tiger men combined to win two relays and four individual events. Not to be out done by the men’s team, the Tiger women won four events.

The Tigers’ historic 2016-2017 season saw 23 school records broken under Richardson’s tutelage, giving the head coach 43 total records in just five seasons at the helm. He also helped send the third swimmer in just as many years to NCAAs as Shahaff qualified to compete in the 100 & 200 Breast and 50 Free while representing the Orange and Black. At the MPSF Championships, the Tigers won five events and were named Collegeswimming.com’s third most improved team in the NCAA.

Richardson also had school records this past season in 2019 from Alcala in the 200 fly (1:45.31) and Angela Gagliardo in the 200 breast (2:13.24). Both teams from Pacific placed fifth at the MPSF Championships. Pacific won four total events at the MPSF Championships with golds from Gagliardo in the women’s 200 breast, Miller in the men’s 100 fly (46.24), Shahaff in the 100 breast (53.25) and Alcala in the 200 fly.

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Carmen Young

5 years ago

We need more women coaches!!!?

Karin Knudson O'Connell

5 years ago

Congratulations!