Sources tell SwimSwam that Brian Thomas will be named the next head swimming coach at George Washington University, ending his two year stint as the head women’s swimming coach at St. Bonaventure. The two teams both compete in the A-10 conference.
This move comes after the Colonials lost former head coach James Winchester to TCU in April. He spent three years at the helm beginning in 2015.
Thomas, who was hired by St. Bonaventure just over two years ago, is expected to bring a wealth of coaching experience to George Washington. In his two years with the Bonnies, he led the women to a 5th place finish at the A-10 Championships in 2018 after back-to-back 10th place finishes.
Prior to joining St. Bonaventure, Thomas served as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at UNLV, coaching school record holder and NCAA Division I qualifier Lina Rathsack. Prior to that, Thomas spent five seasons with Western Kentucky University, working as an assistant for three years before being promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2013-14 season. He also served as the program’s recruiting coordinator.
While with the Hilltoppers, Thomas also served on the Kentucky Swimming Board of Directors, the local governing body for USA Swimming, and was involved in a fellowship program with the American Swimming Coaches Association, a program intended to get young coaches involved in governance and leadership within the sport.
The St. Bonaventure women’s team no longer has Thomas listed as their head coach on their website.
For those of you who have swam under him, how would you guys describe his coaching style?
motivating, encouraging, doesn’t take bs. Brian will push each athlete individually – and the team as a whole – out of their comfort zone and to new heights. GWU is getting a fantastic coach.
At the expense of the Bonaventure A10 team…………….
Not sure, but that camera is WAY too close to his face.
My daughter swam for him and the best i can say is i am so happy he is gone from Bonaventure. I feel sorry for the swimmers at GW. He will run your program into the ground and leave in a year or two and leave your program in ruins.His swim philosophy is swimming is the only thing that matters.He will push the swimmers to swim even when they have injury and health issues because the only thing that matters is swimming and winning at any cost.Do not send your swimmer to GW under any circumstance. Do a search of what he did to the Western Kentucky program when he was a assistant coach there.
in agreeance with several of the comments above
When I read this comment I prayed it was not going to be reality at GW. After a year at GW, you’re 100 percent right and it is shown by the 8 people who quit the team this year.