The University of Southern California has hired Jeff Julian as their new assistant coach.
Julian is a USC alumni, where from 1994-1997 he was an 8-time All-American, a Pac-10 Champion in the 200 fly, and member of the USA Swimming National Team.
The newest Trojan assistant won’t have to leave town to take over the job – he’s been the head coach of Rose Bowl Aquatics for the last 12 years, which is only about 15 miles from the USC campus.
Julian replaces Wes Foltz, who has left to take a job with North Carolina State.
Last year, Julian announced that he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
The full press release from USC is below.
Former USC All-American, Pac-10 champion and U.S. National teamer Jeff Julian, a highly successful club coach with national coaching experience as well, has been named a USC Men’s and Women’s Assistant Coach, USC Head Coach Dave Salo announced today (July 20).
Julian, an eight-time All-American while at USC (1994-97) who won a 200y fly Pac-10 title as a senior, comes to USC after almost 12 years as the Head Coach at Rose Bowl Aquatics. He replaces Wes Foltz, who has taken a job with North Carolina State.
“I am excited to welcome Jeff onto our staff,” Salo said. “He brings experience and depth to our program following more than a decade as Head Coach and General Manager at Rose Bowl Aquatics. I have always been impressed by Jeff’s calming and personable demeanor with his athletes and know his style will work with today’s elite college athletes.
“Even more important is Jeff is a Trojan and was one of the best to swim under Coach Mark Schubert. Jeff’s experience as a team captain and NCAA and Olympic Trials finalist during his days as a Trojan will enhance the culture that we continue to strive for at USC.
“Among Jeff’s responsibilities will be continued development of alumni relations. On the recruiting front, he will head our efforts to communicate better with club coaches. On the deck, Jeff will work with all of our athletes, like my other coaches, but I will ask him to keep a closer eye on our butterfly specialists, taking advantage of his expertise. Jeff joins us at a time when we are all very excited about our prospects as one of the top men’s and women’s teams in the country.”
Julian has been heavily involved in the swimming community for more than three decades. He has served on the Southern California Swimming Board of Directors, was the Pacific Committee Chairperson since 2006 and was a USA Swimming National Select Camp Assistant Coach.
Julian was a 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials finialist in the 200m fly, finishing sixth. His eight All-American honors were highlighted by a second-place finish in the 200y fly at the 1997 NCAA Championships. He was a seven-time Pac-10 finalist, culminating with his conference crown in the 200y fly in 1997.
Also in 1997, he won a U.S. Open title in the 200m fly and won a silver medal in the race while representing the U.S. at the World University Games.
“I am so honored to be back on this amazing campus and excited to do what I can to help our Trojan swimmers and divers reach their goals in life and in the water,” said Julian.
“To get a chance to be a part of this incredible tradition again is unbelievable. And to be able to give a little back as a coach to a program that gave me so much as a swimmer is a dream. I can’t believe this all worked out so well.”
Julian is married to fellow Trojan great Kristine Quance-Julian, herself a nine-time NCAA champion and 1996 Olympic gold medalist.
Julian looks to be a great hire. One of his responsibilities will be in recruiting, so Trojan fans looking for better results in the home region of Southern California. That region and specifically the CA LSC with its weather and huge population base is the top producer of elite high school talent. Yet it seems just about every elite high school swimmer – starting with Ervin, Shields, Eastin, McLaughlin, Weitzeil, Shoults and others – have bypassed local USC and headed up the I-5 to swim at Cal or Stanford. Not saying that USC should land every top prospect but should at least get their share as they do with elite water polo players who want to play under Coach Jovan… Read more »
Yea! Their son Trenton Julian is a rising senior in high school. He just competed in his first Olympic Trials and swimswam recently named him the 15th best male recruit for the class of 2017! He’s on the rise, remember his name!
Congratulations to Jeff, the Julian family and to USC!
So awesome …congratulations to everyone!
Wonder what position Wes is taking at NC State?
Director of Operations – per the website