Bob Bowman Speaks on ASU Men’s Training Leading up to NCAAs

2023 NCAA DIVISION I MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

On the eve of the men’s 2023 NCAA Championships, we sat down with head coach Bob Bowman to get his perspective on his team headed into the big meet. The sun devils are fresh off their first Pac-12 conference title in history and Bowman said it took a while for his guys to bounce back from that meet in the pool. However, headed into this week, the 2016 Olympic head coach said they’re doing things they never have before in practice, always a good sign heading into a championship meet.

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John almost Nabor
1 year ago

This guy could say the sun rises in the west and sets in the east and I would simply nod my head and agree

Richard Saunders
Reply to  John almost Nabor
1 year ago

I wonder what Clarke Burckle thinks about Bob in the locker room?

Richard Saunders
Reply to  John almost Nabor
1 year ago

Does anyone remember Clarke Burckle?

Swimmka
1 year ago

It would not be a surprise to me if ASU would win. Because if they continue to progress – and listen to Bob this is somehow expected – regardless of what the others are doing they will continue to outperform them. While for the other teams their own progress is not enough. They also need that ASU do not progress…

Alex Wilson
Reply to  Swimmka
1 year ago

There is no question the Bob Bowman’s training methods are intense and demand the best efforts of all involved. If you doubt this just check the comments of Chase and the pro group on his coaching. There is a reason that some many pros and Olympic hopefuls want to be trained by Bob and his team.

Swammer
1 year ago

I’m very curious to hear what “average” looks like for a breaststroke practice.

Don Megerle
1 year ago

Can’t wait for this meet. Gotta think Leon will Leon will lead off the 800 free relay.

Supafly23
Reply to  Don Megerle
1 year ago

Leon will Leon 100%

Alex Wilson
1 year ago

Good interview. It gets into some interesting aspects of Bob’s coaching philosophy and approach to big meets. We shall have to see how it works out at NCAA’s

Lab counter
1 year ago

And the ASU women?

Beinghonest
Reply to  Lab counter
1 year ago

Good point!
I’m just saying… how can you have number 1 team in the country but on the other side (women) you only sent 3 girls to ncaa? Is the focus just on the boys in this program? Or girls are put into one group when boys have individualized practices? No women in spring group? How come? They waisted other sprint girls’ potential…
Just saying…

X Glide
Reply to  Beinghonest
1 year ago

One way to look at it could be that ASU happened to be able to bag a couple of marquee recruits on the men’s side that really helped improve ASU’s brand name (and reignite the Bob Bowman hype). As Bob said himself in this interview, they’ve gotta be able to recruit at a high level to have a shot at elevating the team’s success. That just hasn’t really happened on the women’s side yet

Unknown Swammer
Reply to  X Glide
1 year ago

Also the women’s pro-group side is very strong, with a Regan resurgence as well – so can’t really say he can’t coach women. But without Marchant this men’s team would still be good – but not in talks of title.

Observing
Reply to  Beinghonest
1 year ago

Well the best female sprinters at UVA barely train sprint, so maybe they’re on to something

Samuel Huntington
Reply to  Observing
1 year ago

Gretchen, Kate, and Lexi trained in the sprint group full time.

Observing
Reply to  Samuel Huntington
1 year ago

Gretchen and Lexi sure, I don’t think there’s any way Kate trains full time sprint, she’s a freak of nature but that wouldn’t make sense given her events and range

AquaDuck
Reply to  Lab counter
1 year ago

He cares not a jot…

Andrew
Reply to  Lab counter
1 year ago

There’s a reason Bowman has excelled on small projects (Phelps/Marchand) but struggled on larger endeavors like collegiate coaching

Coach
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

The men are ranked #1 in the country and won the program’s first ever Pac 12 championship with some pretty sick depth. Fair to point out the women have not had the same level of success yet, but this is not a one swimmer team by any stretch of the imagination.

Andrew
Reply to  Coach
1 year ago

i mean next year they’ll likely lose over 100+ individual points from House and Frenchie probably going pro. that’s also 8 relay legs they’ll have to replace

i’d also be surprised if they don’t lose Kos as well to going pro

this team has ridiculous depth now (their window is open as long as Marchand is on the team), but in 10 years, ASU will likely be remembered as a one-hit-wonder. Marchand binds this team together

their ceiling is a miraculous 2nd place finish and their floor is 5th behind NCS this year. NCS always seems to finish 4th

Grant Drukker
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

They’re bringing in Kharun next year. Probably another corner stone recruit with how diverse his skillset is.

Last edited 1 year ago by Grant Drukker
CheSwimmer
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

Your obsession with anything NC State is really cute, buddy 😂

Andrew
Reply to  CheSwimmer
1 year ago

Cause I would definitely be obsessed with a team that finishes 4th every year despite having one of the most loaded rosters every year in the NCAA

Azswummer
Reply to  Lab counter
1 year ago

Split your program if your focus is only on one side and your pro group. Huge imbalance going on south of Tempe too.

Swimmer
Reply to  Lab counter
1 year ago

Its more about recruiting than developing talent

AZSWIM
Reply to  Lab counter
1 year ago

Just FYI from someone on the inside, Bob coaches about 3-4 of the ASU women. Rachel Stratton-Mills handles the rest.

chazoozle
1 year ago

Why didn’t you ask Bob on his thoughts if Michael go sub 4 minutes in the 500 at his peak?

Anonymous
1 year ago

Bob Bowman says “…and you also want to get repetitions at race speed which is the best training you can do.” Michael Andrew would agree.

NC’S
Reply to  Anonymous
1 year ago

Best. Not only.

Anonymous
Reply to  NC’S
1 year ago

MA does a lot more than “not only”.

Andrew
Reply to  Anonymous
1 year ago

His 50 free leg of the 2 IM would like a word

anonymous
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

Nah it is not the splits that count. It is the total time which is a decent 1:55.26.

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