Rick DeMont announced his retirement as head coach at the University of Arizona today, after 30 years with the program and four years as head coach.
“There is never a right time to make a decision like this and I thought long and hard about it,” said DeMont in press release. “I’ve been coaching here for 30 years, and despite the offer of a two-year extension, I decided that now is the right time to move on. I’ve given everything I have to Arizona swimming and diving and I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and pursuing other passions. I want to thank the administration, staff and student-athletes for making this a wonderful journey and I look forward to seeing what the program can do in the coming years.”
Over the course of his time with the University of Arizona, DeMont coached 27 USA Swimming and NCAA individual national champions.
As a swimmer, DeMont was a former world record holder in the 400 and 1500 freestyles and the 400 freestyle relay. He swam collegiately for two years at Washington and two years at Arizona. DeMont has been inducted into both the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame.
In addition to his collegiate experience, he was an assistant coach for the South African Olympic Teams in 2000, 2004, and 2008 for his work with a number of South African Olympians who were based out of Arizona.
The now-open position will be the first major hire for new Wildcat athletic director Dave Heeke, who replaced the outgoing Greg Byrne in April.
Thanks for all you have done for the sport Rick! You have given so much as a swimmer and a coach. Wishing you all the best!
Hope he will still be around a little even in the future.
Don’t be surprised if Kelley Kremer’s (Minnesota) name pops up as a candidate. He was their top choice and when Minnesota gave him control of both programs, he stayed and they decided on Erik Hansen…but Kelley WAS their top choice.
The South African gold medal in 4×100 Free in Athens has to be a career highlight. Schoeman, Neethling, Townsend, and Ferns… basically an Arizona dream team.
Townsend is head coach of WSF locally could be of interest. Maybe Dave Rollins comes back to UA after a good season with FGCU.
Marsh would be a perfect fit for the Zona Cats! The AD would be an idiot to not interview him.
Who says Marsh wants to go back to college coaching?
That could make for an exciting new twist to the ASU UofA rivalry.
A couple of former Arizona assistants are currently D1 Head Coaches, you have A Busch who has already been mentioned, but also Rhodenbaugh at Missouri and Hite at Wisconsin. Knowledge of the programme and how it was run during it’s best days are available from all three of these. Also F Busch retiring from USAS I wonder could he be part of a new coaching ticket, but not as the Head Coach but maybe as a junior assistant or even volunteer similar to Urbs in USC??? Might strengthen the hand of any candidate looking at the position.
Any strong Assisstant Coaches at major schools ready to step up? Nesty at Florida? Vogt at USC? If they have stuck around as… Read more »
If there is not a very prominent, nationally recognized head coach named, watch for this program to fold in short order. Rick is a great stroke coach and his talent and experience will be difficult if not impossible to replace.
A great constant from the Jochums and Busch eras, he was one of the all time greats who became even greater in his chosen profession. His 400’s and miles with Northway were epic.
Whoa there is a name from the past! I think both swam for Earl Ellis at the University of Washington back in the day….