Star Auburn freshman Hugo Gonzalez will follow coach Sergio Lopez to his new position at Virginia Tech, transferring for the upcoming season.
Lopez was an associate head coach at Auburn, but moved on to take the head coaching job at Virginia Tech when Auburn head coach Brett Hawke resigned this offseason. Gonzalez, one of the top freshmen in the nation this past season, will make the same move, joining Virginia Tech for his sophomore campaign, the school announced in a press release.
Gonzalez had an incredible rookie year, winning an SEC title in the 400 IM (3:35.76), placing second in the 200 IM (1:40.67, behind only American record-setter Caeleb Dressel) and third in the 200 back (1:40.82). He didn’t swim best times at NCAAs, but did still score points in the 200 IM. His times from the conference round would have placed him second in the NCAA 400 IM final and fifth in the 200 IM.
Gonzalez is a massive pickup for Virginia Tech. He would have won ACC titles in the 200 IM by almost two seconds and the 400 IM by almost five. He should be a massive addition to a Virginia Tech program that was 6th in the ACC last season. Just adding in individual swims from Gonzalez, VT would have added about 90 points at the conference level last year. He’s also a 2016 Olympian for Spain, and should be in the mix for a 2020 Olympic bid. He’s a former multi-time World Junior Championships gold medalist.
He’s also the second major name to transfer out of Auburn this offseason, leaving a bit of a bare cupboard for new Auburn skipper Gary Taylor. Sprint sensation Zach Apple announced earlier this spring that he would be transferring out to Indiana next season. Between Gonzalez and Apple, Auburn has now lost 172 SEC points, two SEC event titles and 8 relay legs from its 2018 squad.
Is Antani Ivanov still going to Auburn?
Is this an American university scholarship and American university coaching job going to foreigners?
Sergio Lopez is an American, so there’s undercutting #1 of your xenophobia. Undercutting #2, tens of thousands of Americans attend foreign universities for very little or no money every year, so we probably owe ‘the rest of the world’ a couple in return.
Make America great again! Again!
Star Auburn freshman Hugo Gonzalez will follow coach Sergio Lopez to his new position at Virginia Tech, transferring for the upcoming season.
Lopez was an associate head coach at Auburn, but moved on to take the head coaching job at Virginia Tech when Auburn head coach Brett Hawke resigned this offseason. Gonzalez, one of the top freshmen in the nation this past season, will make the same move, joining Virginia Tech for his sophomore campaign, the school announced in a press release.
Gonzalez had an incredible rookie year, winning an SEC title in the 400 IM (3:35.76), placing second in the 200 IM (1:40.67, behind only American record-setter Caeleb Dressel) and third in the 200 back (1:40.82). He didn’t swim… Read more »
woulda – coulda – shoulda – BUT did not
Also Jimmie Hickson “would have” won the 50 free at NCAAs and kicked Caleb’s butt had he swan 5 seconds faster!
I know he’s a great coach and well-liked guy, but man, I would be very wary about following Sergio somewhere. He seems to move around a lot. Maybe it’s just me, but the couple interviews I’ve read from him stating that he would be at a place long-term for x, y, z reasons…and then moving shortly after, just rub me the wrong way.
Especially now after he jumps ship at Auburn…
Maybe he is a perpetual mover, hoping not though. Blacksburg could provide a good long term option for success. Get crowded with top flight teams in the conference. Here’s a local article about the move:
http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-hokies-sergio-lopez-miro-swimming-060318-story.html
It sounds like he would have stayed at Auburn but didn’t get the head coach position. Maybe not fair to say he is a “perpetual mover”.
Kinda expected it but I still wish him the best at Virginia
Huggie Bear Hugo GonnaGoGonzalez decided the SEC is just too tough. He is smart to leave the teeniest little village on the plains of Alabama before a total implosion. Would not surprise me if AU drops men’s swimming. As far as SirSergio running out of town, he too knows the SEC is for real men only. I admire the new Head guy for his enthusiasm, although very misplaced. AU not able to get it done without the MarshBoymellow Magic Dust. (Magic dust is an extreme euphemism for doing what Rick Pitino did at Louisville in basketball!). Oh well, this will certainly get many down votes from those who know not about the legacy of dust. Sad for the athletes who… Read more »
I’ve been looking for a great Tom Shields Instagram page — anyone know of a good one?
Sorry to tell you but I just found out, @tomshields_thegoat is already taken.