Indiana University head coach Ray Looze was named George Haines Coach of the Year Thursday evening by the American Swim Coaches Association. Looze coached four swimmers onto the U.S. World Championships team this summer, including world record-setter Lilly King.
Looze was a women’s assistant coach on the USA staff in Budapest, and he led the Hoosier men to a seventh-place finish this summer at the NCAA championships, and his women took eighth.
King won four gold medals at the World Championships this year and set (or helped set) world records in all four events: the 50 breast, 100 breast and both the women’s and mixed 400 medley relays.
Looze also put Cody Miller, Blake Pieroni and Zane Grothe onto the World Championships roster, and all won at least one relay medal in Budapest.
After receiving the award, Looze spoke with Swimming World about what it meant to be honored by his coaching peers, whether he was surprised by his swimmers’ efforts this year and how he thinks they can maintain the Hoosiers’ momentum over the next few years.
Way to go Ray, well deserved!
What an honor! Can’t wait to see how Gage flourishes under his leadership.
Congratulations
Ray, congrats! Sure both Doc and Peter are looking down with both great interest and pride.
Todd Starowitz