Women's swimming/diving adds Mike Bottom as assistant coach

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

SMU Hires National Championship Coach Mike Bottom For Women’s Swim

DALLAS (SMU) — Former 2013 National-Championship winning Head Coach and CSCAA Coach of the Year Mike Bottom was named an Assistant Coach by Women's Swim Coach by Ozzie Quevedo on Tuesday.

Bottom brings a championship pedigree to the Hilltop, having served at Michigan as the men's head coach for swimming from 2008 until his retirement in 2023. In 2013, he also became the head coach for the women's program.

"Mike brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our coaching staff, and we are excited to have him on board in this capacity," Quevedo said. "Please join me in welcoming him to the team and offering our full support as he takes on this new role."

Under his guidance, Bottom led the men's program to the 2013 NCAA Championship. During his time with the Wolverines, the program captured 12 Big Ten titles over a 15-year stretch on the men's side. As the head coach for the women, the Wolverines had three consecutive Big Ten titles from 2016 until 2018 and 11 NCAA top-10 finishes.

His coaching resume is among the most decorated in the Big Ten's history, having coached nine National Champions — including one relay team. Bottom has led 51 athletes to become CSCAA All-Americans and 140 Big Ten individual champions.

For his accomplishments, Bottom was named the 2013 CSCAA Swimming Coach of the Year and was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year nine times — two times on the women's side and seven times for the men.

His coaching success extends beyond collegiate competition, having coached at the past six Olympic Games. He served as an assistant coach for Team USA at Rio's 2016 Games.

The Akron, Ohio native got his start on the coaching scene by serving as an assistant for Auburn from 1991 through 1994, as well as USC from 1995 until 1997. His first head coaching job was at California, where he was the men's swimming co-head coach in 1997.

As a swimmer, Bottom was a five-time All-American and four-time USA National Team member. He qualified for the 100-meter fly in the 1980 Olympic Games, but did not compete due to the United States boycott of Moscow's games.

[Water Pony]

Coach Bottom retired as Head Coach from U. of Michigan. This is an impressive addition to our Women's Swim Team and demonstrates that SMU is strengthening our coaching staffs as we join the ACC. We could use help on recruiting, as well.

[HorsePower]

That's what I was wondering: could he be on board largely to open new recruiting relationships?

[smuaustin1971]

Mike is definitely a high level hire and will have a very positive effect on recruiting as well as developing swimmers. And he is a great guy. He was the Men's Coach at Cal when my daughter swam there.

[ponyswim]

Huge hire for Ozzie. He should really help in both the coaching and recruiting.