George Washington swimming coach Brian Thomas resigns
brian thomas Last week, George Washington announced his resignation as head coach of the swimming and diving program.
Thomas was hired in 2018 and has been at the helm for six seasons.In addition to leading the team through the COVID-19 pandemic, he coached the All-Americans. Jurje Maticset an Atlantic 10 record for points at this year's NCAAs, finishing 14th in the men's 100 butterfly. Mr. Thomas also had to deal with a controversial situation on campus, as the university had originally planned to demolish the Charles E. Smith Center, an aquatic facility, before changing course.
“The past six years have far exceeded the expectations we had when we started at GW in 2018,” Thomas said in a statement from the university. “I would like to thank Tanya, Andrew, and the rest of the administration for entrusting me to lead the program, and I am extremely proud of the student-athletes who represented GW during their time in Foggy Bottom. During Golden Week, I was surrounded by great coaches and support staff, and I appreciate their dedication to our student-athletes while spending countless hours on the pool deck with my two sons on the team. Watching them grow together has been the greatest joy. They have the best example a father could ask for, and for that, Daniel and I are forever grateful. I look forward to seeing the program continue to grow.”
Thomas was an eight-time Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year award winner. He took over a boys team that won back-to-back A-10 titles and led them to five more championships in six years. He also won his first girls A-10 title in his second year on the job, winning three more titles along the way. He coached his four A-10 Most Outstanding Swimmers and Athletes, breaking 17 conference records and 27 school records. Three GW swimmers – Matic and female underclassmen. Eva Topolewski and Eva DeAngelis – Qualified for the NCAA this season.
GW Athletics Director: “I would like to thank Brian for his commitment to excellence in the pool.” Tanya Vogel Said. “He has made great hires who care about GW and are very dedicated to doing their best in various areas of his life. We wish Brian and Daniel well as they embark on their next chapter.”
The program has been embroiled in a battle for a home on campus, and for the time being it appears to have won. In September, the university announced plans to demolish the building that housed GW's pool and build a new basketball practice facility and other athletic facilities, which would move the swim and water polo teams off campus. It turns out. Swimmers petitioned to stop the move in March, and school officials announced in April that they would not move forward with the plan after consulting with planners and the District of Columbia Zoning Commission.
