One of the most successful coaches in swimming history, Eddie Reese has a knack of bringing out the best of each swimmer, that is getting them to swim fast. Never without a smile or a kind word, his key is his poolside manner. His swimmers have a lot of fun but underneath they
work their hardest. Eddie’s proven success is built on fun, confidence and hard work.
Reese’s ability to train his athletes technically has been big part of his success, but his unique approach to swimming and training may be his
best attribute. That combination is what makes Reese one of the world’s finest coaches, regardless of sport. He possesses a thorough knowledge
of swimming fundamentals, an eye for talent, a genuine care for his athletes and the ability to communicate and motivate. Always calm,
unflappable, amiable and quick with a joke, he is a man who likes to work hard but doesn’t see why hard work must be dull. Eddie’s emphasis
has always been “the team”. Individual success is derived from team play and team play is successful because of individual success. “A lot of
people look for the easy way to do anything. And in swimming there is no easy way”, say Reese.
Reese is 1991 and 2005 ASCA Coach of the Year, an eight–time NCAA Coach of the Year and two-time (1992,2004) United States Men’s
Olympic Team Head Coach. In his 28 years as Head Coach of the University of Texas, the Longhorns have won nine NCAA Team Titles.
Along the way, he has developed 39 NCAA individual champions, 29 national champion relays, 146 All-Americans and 22 Olympians who
have won 21 gold medals. Reese – coached, medal winning Olympians Include:
| GOLD: |
SILVER: |
BRONZE: |
| David Bridgewater:* |
Jason Crocker |
Ian Crocker |
| Rick Carey |
Josh Davis |
Nate Dusing |
| Ian Crocker |
Nate Dusing |
Doug Gjertsen |
| Josh Davis |
Brendan Hansen |
Gary Hall Jr.** |
| Hans Dersch |
Scott Goldbatt |
Brendan Hansen |
| Doug Gjertsen |
Gary Hall, Jr.** |
Neil Walker |
| Scott Goldbatt |
Chris Jacobs |
|
| Gary Hall, Jr.** |
Jamie Rauch |
|
| Tommy Hannan |
Aaron Peirsol |
|
| Brendan Hansen |
Neil Walker |
|
| Chris Jacobs |
|
|
| Shaun Jordan |
|
|
| Aaron Peirsol |
*Brad Bridgewater was a Longhorn from 1992-1994.
**Gary Hall Jr. Attended Texas for the 1993-1994 season. |
| Neil Walker |
From 1978 to 2003, swimmers Dusing, Goldblatt, Hansen, Crocker, Walker, Hall, Davis, Gjertsen, Carey, Nevid and Peirsol have won a
total of 13 gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze medals.
In long course swimming, Reese-coached Rick Carey set three world records in the 100m backstroke and two world records in the 200m backstroke.
William Paulus set the 100m butterfly record in 1981. Aaron Peirsol set two world records in each of the 100m and 200m backstroke.
Brendan Hansen set 100m and 200m breaststroke records and Ian Crocker set the 50m butterfly world record. Swimmers competing
in relays helped set nine world records including Chris Jacobs (400 FR), Doug Gjertsen (800 FR), Rick Carey (400 MR, 4 times), Ian
Crocker (400 MR) and Gary Hall, Jr. (400 MR, 2 times)
Eddie was selected Head Coach of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Swimming Team for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the 2004 Athens
Olympics and assistant coach for the 1988 Seoul Games, 1996 Atlanta Games and 2000 Sydney Games. He was awarded the College
Swimming Coaches National Collegiate and Interscholastic Swimming Trophy. Rather than coach the sport of swimming Eddie teachers it;
and he places just as much emphasis on teaching the skills of life to his swimmers. He is a prime example of nice guys don’t finish last.
They finish first.
