Produced by Coleman Hodges.
Reported by Jared Anderson.
On the heels of Georgia winning its third NCAA title in the last four years, Bulldogs coach Jack Bauerle has been named the CSCAA Women’s Coach of the Year.
With his 7th title, Bauerle ties Richard Quick for the most women’s NCAA Division I titles with a single program. Quick had 12 total titles, but 5 were at Texas and 7 were at Stanford.
Bauerle’s Bulldogs outlasted the favored Stanford Cardinal by 19 points, getting 3 individual NCAA titles and 1 relay win along the way.
Olivia Smoliga had a breakthrough season as a junior. After she struggled as a sophomore, Baurle helped coach her back to the top of the NCAA. Not only did Smoliga regain the national 50 free title she’d won as a sophomore, she also added the 100 free gold as well, beating out Stanford Olympian Lia Neal.
Meanwhile, Brittany MacLean roared to an upset win in the 200 free, coming from 4th place at the 150-mark to win with an absurd 25.7 closing split. MacLean was also the national runner-up in the 500 and 1650. She, too, recovered from a disappointing 2015 campaign and jumped back to the top of the NCAA podium under Bauerle’s tutelage.
MacLean, Hali Flickinger, Kylie Stewart and Meaghan Raab set the tone right away on day 1, winning the meet’s opening event, the 800 free relay.
The CSCAA (College Swimming Coaches Association of America) award is a great redemption honor for Bauerle, who was suspended the last time Georgia won the NCAA title in 2014. Baurle also won this award in 2013 when Georgia won the title, and he’s won it two other times in his career – 2005 and 2006.