The University of Georgia announced the promotions of Neil Versfeld and Stefanie Williams Moreno on Wednesday, as the two will assume head coaching duties after previously serving as associate head coaches with the swimming & diving program.
The news comes after Jack Bauerle, the longtime head coach of both the men’s and women’s teams, announced his retirement after 43 seasons at the helm.
Versfeld will take over as the head coach of the men’s program, while Williams Moreno assumes head coaching duties of the women’s team.
Who needs a welcome, when you’re already home.
We are excited to announce Stefanie Williams Moreno is our new women’s head coach and Neil Versfeld is our new men’s head coach.
📰 https://t.co/qsJQ2IFFKy#DGD | #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/OFAEqZkPAG
— Georgia Swim & Dive (@UGASwimDive) June 8, 2022
The two programs will be split after Bauerle was the head coach of both teams dating back to 1983.
“With the retirement of a coaching legend such as Jack Bauerle, we thought it was an opportune time to make some organizational changes that will bolster our tremendous swimming and diving program,” said UGA Director of Athletics Josh Brooks.
“Dividing the two programs gives our new head coaches an opportunity to create synergy with their individual teams and support our student-athletes with focused attention.”
Versfeld spent the previous three seasons as an associate head coach under Bauerle, working primarily with the breaststroke and distance groups. Under Versfeld’s tutelage, those two groups have earned 48 combined All-America citations and four SEC individual titles, including a pair of top-four finishers in the mile at this year’s NCAA Championships.
“I am humbled and honored to be named the head coach of the Georgia Men’s Swimming and Diving team,” Versfeld said. “I am incredibly grateful to Jere Morehead, Josh Brooks, and Darrice Griffin for this opportunity, and to Jack Bauerle for his mentorship and leadership over the past two decades. I could not be more excited to build upon Jack’s legacy in this next chapter.”
Williams Moreno has been on Georgia’s staff for the last 10 seasons, including serving as an associate head coach for the past four. She’s primarily worked with the Bulldogs’ backstroke and mid-dsitance groups.
“I could not be more honored and humbled by this new endeavor. I want to thank Jere Morehead, Josh Brooks, Darrice Griffin, and Jack Bauerle for their confidence in me to lead this remarkable program,” Williams Moreno said.
“As both an athlete and coach, the University of Georgia and its athletic department have significantly impacted who I am today. I am excited for the opportunity and challenge of continuing the proud tradition of Georgia Women’s Swimming and Diving established under Jack Bauerle.”
Both Versfeld and Williams Moreno are UGA alumni members, with Versfeld competing for the ‘Dawgs from 2004-09 and Williams Moreno from 1998 until 2002. Versfeld, also a South African Olympian, won the 2009 NCAA title in the men’s 200 breaststroke, while Williams Moreno was on the Lady Bulldogs’ first three NCAA Championship-winning squads in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
In the 2021-22 season, the Georgia women finished 15th at the NCAA Championships, while the men finished eighth.
In addition to Versfeld and Williams Moreno, Jerry Champer and Brian Smith also served as associate head coaches with the team last season.
Great hires! I’d look to some assistants that know the lay of the land and can bring the hype. Ideally alums, but also just guys that know the region and bring some stature. In no particular order, I’d be looking at Brian Scannell, Mike Fung-a-wing, Brad Kline, and Randy Tyner on the men’s side.
If you read the article, you would see that the coaches they hired are alums that know the lay of the land. It’s also a pretty crazy comment that you suggest “just guys that know the region and bring some stature.” There are a lot of very talented personnel across the country that would add value to the program – not “just guys”. ARGHHH
I’m sure Katie Kline would come with Brad, maybe he’s with the Ram Boyz a lot. And those guys up there-the stature is unmatched
God, I remember scouting Brad Kline in the late 90s. I went to the nearest pay phone and called my head assistant and reported that I’d just seen a fat man the moves like the wind. Truly amazing talent. He’d be a great addition to the staff.
I remember him., nothing has changed. Leviathan, Greek God. His nickname in the 90s was The Typhoon with Poon
Okay Boomer! Obviously you’ve never met Randy Tyner….
Great news for the sport of swimming. Great to see an AD from a Power 5 conference do what’s best for our sport and name 2 head coaches. We need more head coaches for each sport just like our Olympic Team has a head women’s and head men’s coach. We should applaud this move.
How many head coaches do we know that give commencement addresses?
Well done Jack. On to your next chapter with good health and success.
Not sure it’s great for the sport of swimming. Split program means the loss of a full time coach. Men’s and Women’s teams training together adds a positive element to both genders imo.
Plus, are these the best coaches out there? The program has been headed on a downward trajectory for several years and their top athletes are there for Jack. Yes i get they are alumn and have been there a while, but production and recruiting has been lackluster and i would argue there are better coaches out there who would better change the momentum. This seems like a safe hire (s) and a recycling of what they have been doing(mediocrity).
How does this effect Lebron’s legacy?
this GUY, asking the hard questions!!
Neil Versfeld? More like Neil Versfeelin’ so good that Jack BauerLEFT on good terms, so amazing coach with many awesome goals achieved??? Wish him well go Dogs!
Smart moves
Was thinking “never heard a bad thing about these 2” which is true. But also made me think how I’ve never heard a negative review on baurle. The Teri stuff kinda made me think “if you’re going to be a successful coach you have to be so hardcore it’s gonna turn some people off”. But didn’t seem to be the case. Kinda puts him in company with Eddie. Every other big name coach I feel like I’ve heard a “yeah they’re great BUT…” except Reese, baurle and idk if durden is a legend let but I have heard a lot of good about him
Again, just a reminder that Eddie is not spotless, at least according to the sworn testimony of Deena Deardurff, who said she complained about Paul Bergen’s alleged serial sexual abuse of her to Eddie, which led to nothing.
Isn’t it odd that those you listed with no complaints about their hard driving coaching are all men?
1. Literally just said I’ve heard a lot of good things about Moreno, who is a woman
2. I agree this is a bad thing but the vast vast majority of legendary coaches are men. I see that changing going forward hopefully. Carol capitani has obviously done great at Texas for example. I know her swimmers love her but some coaches aren’t her biggest fan. That could definitely be due to sexism
And Carol spent a lot of years working with Jack at UGa!
https://swimswam.com/jack-bauerle-suspended-indefinitely-georgia-ncaa-alleges-severe-breach-contract/
eh, Jack is still human.
I always wonder when something like Jack’s retirement happens whether ADs will see things the way swim coaches do and reward people who have earned an opportunity. Glad in this case the administration at UGA recognized Stefanie and Neil had earned this opportunity.
It’s also great that an AD listens to the retiring coach and trusts the wisdom of said recommendation based on his knowledge of the program and doesn’t try to go into an area that he has limited knowledge
Congratulations Stef!
That tagline goes hard. Nice work UGA