Northwestern Parts Ways With Women’s Head Coach Jimmy Tierney

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

It’s been a rough month for the Tierney coaching siblings. Just days after Arizona State let women’s head coach Dorsey Tierney-Walker go, Northwestern has decided to part ways with her brother Jimmy Tierney.

Northwestern just announced the move and is immediately beginning a nationwide search to fill the position. There is no intention to merge with the men’s program at this time.

Northwestern made the move public with the following statement:

Northwestern Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips announced today that Jimmy Tierney will not return as the head coach of NU’s women’s swimming and diving program. A national search for the Wildcats next head coach will begin immediately.

“For 27 seasons, Jimmy Tierney has dedicated himself to our women’s swimming and diving program,” Phillips said. “His student-athletes have been leaders in the classroom and the community not just at Northwestern, but in the Big Ten Conference. We truly are grateful for his service and wish him the very best.”

“I am so thankful for my time as a member of the Wildcats’ Family,” Tierney said. “I have been blessed to have worked with many wonderful people who have a true passion and spirit for excellence. Coaching has not been a job but rather a labor of love due to the outstanding student-athletes I have had the pleasure of coaching.”

Tierney spent 21 years as Northwestern’s head coach following six years as an assistant with the Wildcats. He compiled a 126-94-1 career dual-meet record, led Northwestern to seven top-20 finishes at the NCAA Championships, including six straight from 1995-2000, and coached his swimmers to a combined 146 All-America honors.

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Bill Bell

9 years ago

Until Northwestern figures out how to get the Simone Manuels, Maddy DiRados, Leah Smith,Courtney Bartholomews and Jenny Thompsons (Dana Vollmers? Chelsea Nautas?) of the swimming world to enroll @ Evanston (and w/exception of Matt Grevers they’ve failed abysmaly) they’re always gonna be @ the bottom rung of the Big Ten and a non-factor @ NCAAs.

W/Mike Bottom taking over women’s program @ Michigan I predict their women’s program will soon be equally as dominant as their men and that spells nothing but trouble for the rest of the conference.

If the Northwestern AD is really serious about building up both Mildcat teams let him fully fund both programs as far as scholarship maxes go, build a world-class aquatic facility and hire a young, aggressive coach who’ll think outside the box (say the guy @ Queens for starters!)

I’d also suggest Mark Schubert but I can’t see him giving up Huntington Beach for Evanston!