SwimSwam Pulse is a recurring feature tracking and analyzing the results of our periodic A3 Performance Polls. You can cast your vote in our newest poll on the SwimSwam homepage, about halfway down the page on the right side, or you can find the poll embedded at the bottom of this post.
Our most recent poll asked SwimSwam readers which major head coaching hire they like most:
RESULTS
Question: Which new head coach do you think is a better hire?
- Sergio Lopez at Virginia Tech – 63.8%
- Gary Taylor at Auburn – 36.2%
Almost two-thirds of respondents said they favored Virginia Tech’s hiring of Sergio Lopez as its new head coach over the hiring of Gary Taylor to take over at Lopez’s former team, Auburn.
Lopez was an assistant at Auburn, but wasn’t promoted when Brett Hawke resigned this offseason. Lopez was eventually named head coach at Virginia Tech, while Auburn signed on former NC State assistant Taylor as its new head coach.
Lopez is certainly a bit more of a known commodity. He has previous head coaching experience at West Virginia, and made a name for himself coaching a stellar group at the Bolles School in Florida as well as heading up Singapore’s high performance center prior to his assistant stint at Auburn.
Taylor is younger, but follows the pattern quite a few programs have had in hiring on a young, energetic assistant coach from a fast-rising program. Most recently, Virginia saw huge year 1 returns from hiring former NC State assistant Todd Desorbo as its head coach.
Below, vote in our new A3 Performance Poll, which asks voters which summer meet is most exciting to them heading into the long course season:
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ABOUT A3 PERFORMANCE
The A3 Performance Poll is courtesy of A3 Performance, a SwimSwam partner
Dressel, Schooling, Murphy. Just to name a few. Lopez FTW.
as you like making spreadsheets and such, maybe do study how many commenters have ever liked any hires, like in Stanford or Cal come first to mind….
let’s give it 24-36 months and readdress this to see who made the most difference….Lopez vs. Taylor. My gut feeling tells me that the poll will fall far more favorable to Taylor in that Auburn will be moving near or to the top of the SEC. Lopez may be an excellent coach, but WV will be a much tougher sell for elite swimmers to sign on with compared to Auburn.
Crazy pic with Duncan behind Lopez
Came here to say this haha. He’s been eyeing that Aub spot for a while now
Taylor is the better hire. Period
I was about to post my opinion, but after you said “PERIOD” the only thing left to do is apologize, you clearly holds the absolute truth.
In fact, Swim Swam shouldn’t post anything before consulting with you, oh all mighty Sanholo.