Paul Stafford has left his coaching position at Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics.
Tucson staff confirmed that Stafford is no longer with the club.
“My time at Ford has come to an abrupt end,” Stafford told Swimming World. “We had some discussions about the future of the club prior to the pandemic situation. They made it clear that I could continue at Ford on my terms. I think with lots of questions remaining regarding the restart date, and potential program changes, it became clear that it was time for a new direction. … I would have liked to take the current group through Trials and another Championship, as we felt like we were on track for some great performances, but that was not in the cards. I was honored when Rocket (Rick Demont) brought me on to take the reins at Ford, and equally as honored when Augie (Busch) asked me to remain when he arrived. This is not how I would have scripted my exit from the sport after 30+ years, but the situation lends itself to some significant and positive changes, for both the club and myself. I value my time at Ford, all the coaches I had the opportunity to stand on deck with, and all the parents and extraordinary young people I worked with. I am a better person for my experience in Tucson and am proud of what we were able to accomplish. I look forward to watching the progress of the athletes and seeing Ford thrive under new leadership. There is great stuff happening on the Hillenbrand pool deck every day!”
Stafford had coached at Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics since 2014 and alongside Augie Busch, since his arrival from Virginia.
In Tucson, he helped coach swimmers like Matt Grevers, Nick Thoman, Leah Smith, Justin Wright and Brooks Fail.
The club is based at the University of Arizona.
Prior to his arrival in Tucson, Stafford and Ray Mitchell started the Terrapins Swim Team [Concord, California] together in 1989.
During his three decades of coaching prior to Tucson, Stafford coached Natalie Coughlin, Lauren Rogers and Kate Dwelley as young Terrapins. After that, he coached USC’s Chelsea Chenault and Cal’s Justin Lynch. Chenault made the top eight at the 2012 Olympic Trials in the 200 free and Lynch broke Michael Phelps’ 15-16 NAG record in the 100 fly in 2013.
In September 2014, Stafford accepted the head coaching position with Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics. He uprooted from California and hit the ground running in the desert. Stafford replaced Johno Fergusson, who had been Ford’s head coach since 2011.