Ohio University has hired Mason Norman as the new head coach of its women’s swimming & diving program. He replaces Rachel Komisarz-Baugh, whose contract wasn’t renewed after 4 seasons as the program’s head coach.
Norman spent last season as associate head coach at the University of Kentucky, which followed 4 seasons as an assistant with the program. There, he worked with 4 U.S. National Team members, 2 USA World University Games team members, 4 SEC Champions, and an NCAA Champion. Kentucky had 3 swimmers finish as U.S. Olympic Trials finalists in 2016 while Norman was an assistant with the program. The Kentucky men didn’t score at the 2018 NCAA Championship meet, while the women finished 14th.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead the program here at Ohio,” said Norman. I would like to thank Mr. Schaus and Randee Duffy for their vision and trust in me throughout the process. I look forward to establishing a winning culture here at OHIO and becoming an elite program in the Mid-American Conference.”
Ohio University’s 11 MAC women’s swimming championships all-time ranks them 2nd behind only Miami in conference history. They won 7 straight from 1989 through 1995, which ties for a conference record. But Akron has dominated the conference of late, winning the last 4 titles, while Ohio’s last win came in 2011.
Under Komisarz-Baugh’s tenure, the team never finished higher than 5th, and last year were a program-low 7th out of 8 teams.
Norman’s Prior Coaching Stops:
- 2017-2018 – Kentucky, associate head coach
- 2013-2017 – Kentucky, assistant coach
- 2012-2013 – Utah, assistant coach
- 2012 – Tennessee, interim men’s assistant coach
- 2011-2012 – Tennessee, men’s graduate assistant
Norman earned his undergraduate degree from Wingate in 2010, and then completed a Master of Science in Teacher Education at Tennessee in 2012. As an athlete, he was an NCAA Division II All-American and National Champion and a team captain as both a junior and a senior.
Best wishes Mason. Loyalty is key.
Having watched Mason in all 4 years, and thankfully only had to “compete” with him his Sr year, I can attest to his ability as a competitor. He has obviously transferred that “drive to succeed in the water” to his “desire to excel on deck”. I am looking forward to witnessing the successes that will be credited to his OU Bobcats. Best Wishes for nothing but (continued) SUCCESS and EXCELLENCE Mason!!!
We shall see if he can succeed when off the teet of Jorgensen.
What does that mean?
He hasn’t coached without Lars Jorgensen telling him what to do. That’s what that means.
Oh was Lars the head coach at Utah as well? And Tennessee?
Lars was an associate head coach at Tennessee…
Wow. Great positive comment. Maybe you should do the hiring for OU instead?
Great Dude. I look forward to watching him succeed at Ohio University.
Congrats Mason
Is this guy related to Nick Norman of cal??
Wow, every time I look somebody else that I swam against or with is getting a college coaching job somewhere… small world!