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Longtime USC Assistant Chase Bloch Moving On From Coaching

The coaching staff at USC will have a new look next season as longtime assistant Chase Bloch has announced he’s moving on from coaching.

Bloch, who joined the USC staff in 2014 after a four-year career in the pool, told SwimSwam it was simply time for him to transition to something new.

“Having been at USC for 12 years there was never going to be an easy time to leave if I ever did,” said Bloch, who added that he’s getting married this summer. “I decided I need to grow and have opportunities for upward mobility in the sport.”

Bloch hopes to remain in swimming in some capacity, and is currently exploring staying at USC within the athletic department.

“The two things that got me into coaching were my love of sports and helping people. I hope to continue to do so in the future. I will always love USC and the overall swim community across the world.”

The 30-year-old added that he hasn’t completely shut the door on coaching in the future, though he plans on remaining in California long-term.

 

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A post shared by Chase Bloch (@blochparty)

Bloch has been an assistant coach at USC for the last eight seasons, serving six seasons under former head coach Dave Salo and the last two alongside Jeremy Kipp and Lea Maurer.

When Kipp was announced as Salo’s replacement after the 2019-20 season, Bloch remained on in his assistant role.

Bloch was a CSCAA All-American in 2013 and a team co-captain in the 2013-2014 season during his time swimming with the Troajns. He was also a two-time Pac-12 Academic honoree.

After graduating with a degree in communications from USC in 2014, Bloch joined the Trojan staff and helped propel the team to numerous successes, including the men’s team winning the Pac-12 title in 2015 and the women winning the conference championship crown in 2016.

The men’s team also finished fourth at the NCAA Championships in 2015 and sixth in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018 at the NCAA Championships. The women’s team had a trio of top-10 finishes during Bloch’s eight seasons on the coaching staff, including a sixth-place showing in 2016.

In October 2021, Kipp was placed on administrative leave and Maurer served as the interim head coach. Kipp ultimately resigned in March. The women’s team finished 16th and the men’s team was 26th this past season at NCAAs.

The Trojans then named Maurer the program’s new full-time head coach on April 1.

Bloch’s departure opens up one assistant spot on Maurer’s staff for 2022-23, with Meghan Hawthorne and Kevin Rapien currently listed as assistant coaches on the team roster.

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Mark the Shark
2 years ago

Interesting. I wonder if Brad Kline and Warren Perry get a look for the job opening. #packagedeal

Swimws
Reply to  Mark the Shark
2 years ago

I would say Matt Bowe, but I think he will go to Cal.

Lil Mosey
2 years ago

Chase Bloch is such a legend! I always looked forward to seeing him at meets, and you could tell all the athletes and coaches on deck loved him. I am fully confident that he will be immensely successful in his future, but, if he ever needs a place to hang and a steady income, he can always join my entourage! Some people say that’ll be a downgrade from Zach Efron’s entourage tho… Good luck, Chase!

swimmer
2 years ago

most likely cause is because it is near impossible live in LA on an assistant swim coach salary.

swimapologist
Reply to  swimmer
2 years ago

Lol check Chase’s IG. He’s doing just fine.

People always run to this excuse to show off how geopolitically aware they are. And yet…people somehow continue to live in LA. It’s wild.

swimmer
Reply to  swimapologist
2 years ago

Ya they live in LA and live that lifestyle because they are making $200k+ a year, not an assistant swim coach salary.

Going to miss you chase
2 years ago

Chase was one of the best coaches I have ever had and he has done so much for this program. goodluck to sc heading into this new season without the amazing chase bloch

swimphan
2 years ago

I see this as a positive for the future of USC swimming. This provides an excellent opportunity for HC Lea to bring in an ace recruiter to can continue the “international pipeline” but also build relationships with US clubs to build a “domestic pipeline” of elite swimmers. It’s great that USC has the international pipeline but it has produced a roster top-heavy with internationals while American junior and high school elites go to the other D1 powerhouse teams in the Pac-12 and elsewhere. In other words, its’ great that USC brings in talent and even Olympians from places like Canada, Europe and Australia/New Zealand. But Trojans need to be pulling in elite American swimmers and Team USA junior team members… Read more »

thezwimmer
Reply to  swimphan
2 years ago

I’m not someone who is against internationals competing in the NCAA. If they have earned a scholarship, they can have it. However, the typical international student-athlete will need more help covering the costs of college, so they would take up a larger portion of a scholarship. This hurts a private school like USC where any amount of scholarship assistance could be the difference between a domestic student-athlete choosing to attend the school or going elsewhere that may be easier to afford.

Admin
Reply to  thezwimmer
2 years ago

@thezwimmer that’s right.

In 2014, Germany abolished tuition for undergrads at public universities.

So, for example, Colupaev could attend college in Germany for free, and use the other $40,000+ on the best coaching in Germany. So, you’ve gotta close that gap a little, and change the calculations.

DCSwim
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

Colupaev… *takes drag of cigarette* I haven’t heard that name in years…

ScottyJ
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

Brandon nailed it!

Chase Bloch
Reply to  swimphan
2 years ago

As an alum, I completely agree we at times underdelivered on the national reach. However, you should check the tape on that recruiting stat since we had top 10 classes every year since SwimSwam begun doing them. I look forward to the future of USC being back in the mix in every sport! Troll on! ✌️

Grunge Rally
Reply to  Chase Bloch
2 years ago

Chase, can you tell us why you think USC doesn’t have a top 10 team if they have consistent top 10 classes?

Trojan Troll
Reply to  Grunge Rally
2 years ago

Why did the Lakers fail to make the playoffs with one of the most stacked rosters on paper….

sam
2 years ago

is there a list showing how many assistant have left the sport during covid years

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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