Sadly, a good coach can be hard to find sometimes. However, at 2aDays, you are able to see reviews written by actual athletes, former athletes, parents, and more. Here are 10 of the top-rated swimming and diving coaches on our site!
1. Bill Smyth: Boston University
Bill Smyth coached for 18 seasons at Boston University. In those seasons, athletes won 127 individual conference titles, and every men's and women's school record was broken at least once. He had a .678 dual win percentage and had a winning record in every season except for two. With a 92% recommendation percentage and 25 reviews, Here's what athletes of Bill Smyth have to say about him:
“I am 100% grateful to have been a part of and contribute to the team culture that Bill had established at BU. Bill was always accomodating with class schedules, advocating for a your education while promoting success in the pool. I attribute a lot of my post-life success to my 4 years at BUSD”
“Bill was an amazing coach to me and my teammates. He is knowledgable, committed and passionate. He can be tough at times, but any great coach is. He will be honest with you and he expects the same in return. I wish every collegiate swimmer had my great experience in D-I swimming, but not every collegiate swimmer had Bill for a coach.”
2. Brian Loeffler: Loyola University Maryland
Coach Brian Loeffler is in his 32nd year of coaching at Loyola University Maryland. In conference championships, the men's program has had a top-5 finish in 20 out of 22 championships. The women's program has finished in the top 3 in 20 out of 22 championships and has never finished higher than fourth.
Coach Loeffler has 21 reviews on the 2aDays site and has a 100% recommendation percentage. Here is what some athletes have to say about him:
“Coach creates a good team culture, dedicated to create the best versions of his students and makes sure all of us are in top shape.”
“Best coach I've ever had! Pushes me to be the best I can be.”
3. David Durden: University of California-Berkeley
David Durden is in his 17th season at the University of California-Berkeley. Under his tenure, the Cal Bears have won 5 NCAA Championships, have placed in the top 2 in the last 12 NCAA Championships, and has been named NCAA Coach of the Year 6 times. He was also the head coach for the 2020 Olympic Games.
Coach Durden has 18 reviews and a 100% recommendation rate:
“I very much enjoy having Dave as a coach. He is a very good coach: attentive, caring, extremely motivational, but also understanding. He strives to achieve success and is not afraid to challenge us. He always has positive things to say and even though the huge change with the men's and women's team, he seems to have it together.”
“Not only the best swim coach in the NCAA, but the number one coach of any sport in the world.”
4. Jason Mahowald: University of South Dakota
Jason Mahowald is in his 19th season with the University of South Dakota. He is a 3x conference coach of the year and has coached athletes to 51 individual conference titles.
Coach Mahowald has 20 reviews and a 90% recommendation percentage. Here are some of his reviews:
“Jason is a great coach who really cares about his swimmers in and out of the pool.”
“Jason is more than a coach, he is a second dad. Honestly, I do not think there is a single coach I would recommend more highly than Jason. His passion for the sport and his dedication to his athletes is unmatched. More than being a good coach, he is also a great person who truly cares about the well-being of each of his athletes.”
5. Andrew Hendricks: Franklin College
Andrew Hendricks has been the head swimming and diving coach for Franklin College since the 2008-2009 season. He has coached 210 HCAC All-Conference athletes, 70 conference champions, and 6 All-Americans.
Coach Hendricks has 19 reviews on the site and an 89% recommendation percentage:
“Encouraging both academically and athletically throughout my 4 years at Franklin College. Helped me break through a plateau by encouraging me to try new things and take risks. Both applicable skills to real life that I don't go a day without using.”
“Coach Hendricks is everything you could ask for in a college swim coach. He has established a great team culture that brings both current athletes and alumni together. He has proven that he can unlock untapped potential in his athletes leading to championships. He also is committed to helping athletes succeed in the classroom and their future careers. College swimming was the most tremendous experience of my life thanks to Coach Hendricks.”
6. Mike Bottom: University of Michigan
Mike Bottom has been a head coach for the University of Michigan swim and dive team since 2008. He has coached the team to one NCAA championship, 8 individual NCAA titles, and has been named the Big Ten Coach of the Year 9 times. He has also been a coach at the last 6 Olympic Games.
Coach Bottom has 18 reviews on the site and has an 83% overall recommendation percentage.
“Great motivational speaker and is very knowledgeable. Does everything he can to relate to his swimmers.”
“Very nice and knows what he's talking about makes a good environment.”
7. Lisl Prater Lee: Vassar College
Lisl Pratter Lee is currently in her 30th season coaching at Vassar College. She has coached 3 All-Americans and 10 NCAA qualifiers on the women's team.
Coach Pratter Lee has 19 reviews and 84% recommendation rate:
“Amazing coach that truly wants you to succeed in and out of the pool”
8. Mike Schnur: University of Pennsylvania
Mike Schnur has been the head coach swim and dive coach at the University of Pennsylvania since 1999. He was once named Ivy League Coach of the Year and most recently coached the men's team to a third place finish at the 2023 Ivy League Championship.
Coach Schnur has 18 reviews and a 72% recommendation percentage:
“Mike is a great coach but he also values his swimmers as people and understands what kind of support it takes for his athletes to be successful students and athletes at a unique school such as Penn.”
“Great coach. Very approachable. Knows what he is doing. Practice can be very tough but they are always to benefit the athletes.”
9. John O'Neill: Providence College
John O'Neill has been the head swimming and diving coach at Providence College since 1984. He has coached 6 Big East Champions and is a 6x New England Women's Coach of the Year.
Coach O'Neill has 17 reviews with an 88% recommendation percentage:
“John cares about all his athletes and wants the best for them in and out of the pool. He understands the struggles of being a college athlete but truly wants to help you succeed.”
“John is extremely knowledgeable and caring. He really makes an effort to ensure that all his athletes are performing their best in school, swimming, and whatever else they want to do.”
10. Seth Huston: Rice University
Seth Huston is in his 21st year of coaching at Rice University. He has been named Conference USA's Coach of the Year four times and was named one of the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America's 100 Greatest College Swimming & Diving Coaches.
Coach Seth Huston has 14 reviews and has a 93% overall recommendation percentage.:
“Seth has great insight on how to coach college athletes. He prioritizes your growth and health rather than just focusing on times. Highly recommend.”
“Seth is an amazing coach and values each swimmer on his team. He is great at fostering a great team culture and atmosphere.”
