USC’s Lea Maurer Previews the Upcoming 2022-23 Season for the Trojans

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman HodgesGarrett McCaffrey, and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

Lea Maurer joins the SwimSwam podcast a couple weeks into her first year as the “Peter Daland Endowed Swimming Coach Chair,” aka Head Coach, at USC.

Lea is an Olympic Gold Medalist and former American Record holder. She swam for legends like John Collins, Randy Reese, and Richard Quick. She talks about how each of them continues to influence her coaching today, as well as how her experience as an athlete shaped her approach to coaching.

Lea spent 6 years as the Head Coach of the Women at Stanford and discussed the impact she felt she made on the program. In between her time in Palo Alto and her move to Southern California, Lea was the volunteer Men’s Water Polo coach.

She says she worried about getting neck punched but it reemphasized her ability to bring joy to swimming. She returned to the collegiate deck over a year ago and spent most of last season as the interim head coach of the Trojans before being named the head coach. Her first task? Title IX compliance cuts.

Lea has managed to keep USC moving forward with a great staff and this year’s squad is focused on culture and setting a new tone. She dives into the strategies and conversations that have brought this ’22-’23 squad together, very early in the season.

SWIMSWAM PODCAST LINKS

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

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Foreign Embassy
2 years ago

I *hate* U$C but I *love* her energy, focus and plans. For a mixed college coach, she absolutely knows exactly what she wants and how to get there. Go pac-12👏🏽

Renata Porter
2 years ago

“Open with dialog and intense on deck.” Love it!!

Meathead
2 years ago

If Leah could get a cameo made for her from one former swimmer why would it be Summer Sanders?

Radiogaga
2 years ago

Best wishes to the Coach! She is a winner fer sure!!!

Huh
2 years ago

Is no one going to comment on the hypocrisy?

Swim Fast Swim Pretty
2 years ago

Haters gonna hate.

Meathead
2 years ago

Feel like there is a huge miss in this interview not covering her experiences both as a coach and parent at IHSA state. Many, including Sports Illustrated, have called it a top 10 sporting event in the country

Example question:
After attending your first illinois state meet, did you look back at your Olympic experience and think “eh”?

Another miss- how do you explain your lack of masters top tens to recruits?

Dan
Reply to  Meathead
2 years ago

Ihsa state is not even a top 10 sporting event in Illinois.

Meathead
Reply to  Dan
2 years ago

Dan- u clearly are talking about the current meet held outside Evanston township high school Or NTHS

Time For Barta To Go
Reply to  Meathead
2 years ago

Perfect screen name.

About Garrett McCaffrey

No one lives the sport of swimming like Garrett McCaffrey. A Division I swimmer who spent 4 years covering the sport as a journalist, now coaches club swimming and competes as a masters swimmer, Garrett truly lives the sport of swimming. After graduating from University of Missouri’s award winning journalism program …

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