ASCA Announces Six Finalists for Coach of the Year Award
The American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) has announced the six finalists for the prestigious ASCA George Haines Coach of the Year Award, honoring the coaches who have made exceptional contributions to U.S. success on the international stage.
Named for legendary American coach George Haines, whose career helped shape generations of elite swimmers and the American coaching profession, the award represents the very pinnacle of achievement in coaching. It recognizes the coach who has contributed most significantly to U.S. swimming success at the international level.
The 2026 finalists are:
- Bob Bowman — University of Texas
- Todd DeSorbo — University of Virginia
- Dave Durden — University of California, Berkeley
- Braden Holloway — North Carolina State University
- Ray Looze — University of Indiana
- Anthony Nesty — University of Florida
This year’s finalists represent the highest achievements of American coaching, with each coach having coached athletes who won medals at the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California, this summer. Their athletes’ performances on the international stage reflect the extraordinary level of coaching, leadership and commitment represented by this award.
The 2026 ASCA George Haines Coach of the Year will be announced during the ASCA World Clinic in Orlando on September 11.
The ASCA World Clinic, taking place September 9–12 at the Rosen Centre Hotel, brings together hundreds of swimming coaches from across the country and around the world for four days of education, collaboration and professional development. More information: www.ascaworldclinic.com.
The above press release was provided to Swimming World by the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA).
