Texas hires Bowman away from national champion Arizona State to lead powerhouse men's swim program

Updated Apr. 1, 2024 6:11 p.m. ET

Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Bob Bowman, the longtime coach of Olympic star Michael Phelps, has been hired to take over the swimming program at Texas, the school announced Monday.

Bowman was previously Arizona State's coach and led the Sun Devils to their first national championship last weekend. He leaves Arizona State after nine years for a powerhouse Longhorns program that had been led by Eddie Reese for 46 seasons. Under Reese, Texas won 15 national championships and was runner-up 13 times.

Bowman joins Texas with the newly-created title of director of swimming and diving, while also serving as head men’s coach. Carol Capitani, the Texas women's coach, led the team to a third consecutive runner-up finish at the NCAA championships.

Bowman was the longtime coach for Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in any sport with 28 medals, 23 of them gold. Bowman was the U.S. men's head coach at the 2016 Olympics and was an assistant in 2004, 2008 and 2012.

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