Bailey Weathers, Head Women's Coach at Notre Dame, Steps Down -- March 30, 2005

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, March 30. UNIVERSITY of Notre Dame women's swimming coach Bailey Weathers has announced his resignation following 10 years at the helm of the Irish program.

"We've had a nice run for the last decade, and now I think it's time for something new, both for me and for the program," said Weathers.

"I'm ready for a different challenge and I think the timing is right for someone new to come in and see where they can take women's swimming at Notre Dame."

During his tenure (1995-96 through 2004-05), Notre Dame won nine consecutive BIG EAST Conference crowns and posted an 86-20 (.811) record in dual meets, while he has been named conference coach of the year six times. He is one of just three coaches - in any sport - ever to win nine consecutive BIG EAST championships. During his tenure, Notre Dame scored points in the NCAA Championships every year.

Before coming to Notre Dame, Weathers coached at South Carolina (three seasons, 1987-88 through 1989-90), where he was a three-time Metro Conference Coach of the Year and had two top-12 NCAA finishes. Before South Carolina, he spent two years as head coach at Southern Illinois (two seasons, 1985-86 and 1986-87).

A 1982 graduate of Indiana University, he also has been an assistant coach at the University of Texas (1982-85) and his alma mater (1979-82), and a coach of the Mission Aurora Swim Club in Colorado from 1990-95.