Coach Reese And His Swimmers Are Champs Once Again

Longhorn Nation reflexively follows what its teams are doing on the field, but true fans have got to love and respect, too, what UT men’s swimming and diving coach Eddie Reese has accomplished with his men in the water.

The team won an incredible 10th NCAA swimming championship over the weekend — charging back from a stomach illness that had delayed the meet and sent several swimmers (and Reese himself) to the hospital. They edged out California by 28 points (500 to 469 1/2) in the national meet in Columbus, Ohio.

The guys couldn’t let having “thrown up a few times” stop them from giving all-out performances, Ricky Berens told the media.

“You’ve trained all year for this,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how you feel. You’re doing it for Texas. You’re doing it for your teammates.”

Having team members who will make great efforts even when they don’t feel up to it is the key to winning championships, Reese said.

The win makes Reese the only coach in the history of the sport to win NCAA championships in four separate decades. 

The Alcalde‘s given the family-oriented, fatherly Reese lots of love over the years.

For a look at what’s made him so dominant, check out this story from May-June 2009. (Hint: Humor, caring, faith, and family are key to his approach.)

And if you’ve ever wondered what a top-tier coach could do for even the kind of layperson who just flails around in the water, check out former editor Avrel Seale’s funny first-hand account of being coached by Reese from July-August 2001.

We’re thrilled to see a great guy and his dedicated team make a national splash once again.