The SMU women’s swimming and diving staff has added Mike Bottom as an assistant coach for the upcoming season. Bottom was the head coach at Michigan for the men from 2008-2023 and the women from 2013-2023.
“Mike brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our coaching staff, and we are excited to have him on board in this capacity,” SMU women’s head coach Ozzie Quevedo said. “Please join me in welcoming him to the team and offering our full support as he takes on this new role.”
Bottom retired from coaching in 2023 but now makes his return to the sport. During his time at Michigan, the men’s program won 12 Big Ten titles and went on to win the 2013 NCAA Championship as well. The women’s program captured three Big Ten titles, going back to back to back from 2016-2018.
Prior to arriving at Michigan, Bottom was the co-head coach of the Cal men’s program from 1997-2008. Before that he was an assistant at his alma mater USC from 1994-1997.
Just months after retirement, Bottom joined Queens University in Charlotte as an “Excellence in Residence” role.
Bottom also has experience coaching at the international level and has served as a coach during the last six Olympic Games (he is not a coach in Paris currently). He notably was a coach for Team USA for the 2016 Rio Games.
The SMU women are led by Ozzie Quevedo who was named the head coach of the program in April 2023 after serving as associate head coach of Alabama since 2019.
The women’s program had numerous swimmers cut as well as transfer this offseason but nine swimmers arrive to keep the roster alive and well. The school’s website currently lists 19 women on the roster for the upcoming season. 14 of those are swimmers while five are divers. The school will notably be in its first season in the ACC this year under the new “Power 4” model.
“Retired” in 2023. (yeah, yeah, yeah, that was the company line)
Congratulations Coach! SMU lucky to have such a great coach. He is kind and compassionate and really encourages the student athlete to be well rounded and balanced!
Go Big Mike!
Time to stop being negative on coaches and speculating on why they take new positions.
Please just wish Mike the best and avoid the “speculation” issue.
Why does Bottom look like he should be on the SNL skit Sprockets in that photo?
Mistake
Jay you don’t know what you are talking about 😂 go kick some rocks
SMU website news says only 7 swimmers are joining the roster now. The two swimmers from Israel seem to have decommitted for some reason.
Who decommitted?
Click on the link that says “nine swimmers arrive to keep”. The two swimmers that say they are from Israel are no longer on the SMU press release on their website which also now says seven swimmers not nine.
Is Melanie retiring to become a mom, is Lauryn Parrish being replaced or are they adding another staff member?
Huge hire!
Four coaches for only 14 swimmers seems a little excessive. 3.5 swimmers per coach.