The 2025-2026 NCAA swimming season witnessed the debut of several new head coaches, each bringing their unique strategies and philosophies to their respective programs. Among the six first-year coaches, three were from Power Four schools, while the other three hailed from mid-major programs. The season's results offer a fascinating glimpse into the impact of these new leaders on their teams' performances.
One standout performance came from Stanford's women's team, led by Chris Lindauer. The Cardinal women demonstrated remarkable consistency, with Torri Huske shining as a multiple-event winner and Lucy Bell making significant improvements in her times. The team's overall performance at the ACC and NCAA Championships was strong, with a 31% increase in personal best times compared to the previous season. This success sets a high bar for Lindauer to surpass in the upcoming year.
In contrast, the Wisconsin Badgers, under the leadership of Jack Brown, experienced a slight dip in performance. Despite losing their top swimmer, Phoebe Bacon, the women's team managed to finish 13th at the NCAA Championships, a slight improvement from the previous year. Brown's quick impact on both the men's and women's teams is particularly notable, with Maggie Wanezek showcasing significant improvements in her times.
Notre Dame, led by Michael Norment, demonstrated a significant turnaround on both the men's and women's sides. The women's team, highlighted by Carli Cronk's strong performance, improved their finishes at both the ACC and NCAA Championships. The men's team, after a suspension, showed promise with Marcus Reyes-Gentry's strong performances and Tommy Janton's season best times. However, the men's team still has room for improvement, with a lower percentage of personal best times compared to the women.
The mid-major programs also showed improvement. John Carroll and Georgetown, led by Owen Watkins, maintained their Big East Championship status and improved their personal best percentages. Niagara, under Matt Bosse, saw slight improvements in personal best percentages for both the men's and women's teams. Cal State Bakersfield, despite some coaching changes, managed to maintain consistent personal best percentages for both the men's and women's teams, with Vili Sivec qualifying for the Men's NCAA Championships.
In conclusion, the 2025-2026 NCAA swimming season has provided a fascinating insight into the impact of first-year head coaches. Each program has its own story to tell, with some showing remarkable consistency, while others are still finding their footing. As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to see how these new leaders continue to shape their teams' performances and whether they can meet the high expectations set by their predecessors.
