Alabama Swimming and Diving Adds Reed Fujan as Assistant Coach, Rio Ramirez as Diving Coach

Coley Stickels hired Reed Fujan and Rio Ramirez to the Alabama Swimming and Diving coaching staff this week; Photo Courtesy: Noah Sutton/Alabama Athletics

Alabama swimming and diving head coach Coley Stickels has added Saint John’s University head coach Reed Fujan to his inaugural Crimson Tide staff as an assistant coach, as well as Rio Ramirez as the diving coach. Ramirez previously spent seven seasons at Florida International University as the head diving coach.

A 2017 graduate of Notre Dame, Fujan served as a volunteer assistant at Indiana while Stickels was the Hoosiers’ associate head coach. The Hoosiers won their second-consecutive Big Ten Championship and finished third at the NCAA Championships while Fujan was part of the staff.

“Reed is one of the best young coaches in the nation and we’re excited to have him here in Tuscaloosa,” Stickels said. “Not only is a great technical coach, but he does an amazing job evaluating talent and potential, which is crucial on the recruiting trail.”

Prior to embarking on a coaching career, Fujan swam for Notre Dame, serving as co-captain his senior season. A two-time Academic All-ACC honoree, he earned a degree in management consulting major in 2017. A three-time All-American, he clocked the second-fastest 200 freestyle time in Notre Dame history during his career. He earned the Irish’s Most Improved award and the Charles Blanchard award as a sophomore.

A native of Byron, Minn., Fujan was a three-time Minnesota state champion while competing for the Rochester Swim Club Orcas. He earned the team’s most valuable award from 2010-13.

Stickels also announced the addition of Rio Ramirez to his staff as the Crimson Tide’s diving coach, this week.

“We’re excited to have Rio on board to lead our diving contingent,” Stickels said. “He brings a tremendous amount of experience both as a coach and as a championship diver in his own right. I have no doubt that he will add to Alabama’s amazing legacy of diving excellence.”

A five-time conference coach of the year, Ramirez joins the Tide following seven seasons as FIU’s diving coach, where he mentored Olympians, All-Americans, conference divers of the year and conference champions while helping the Panthers to five-straight conference team titles.

“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to be part of the Bama family,” Ramirez said. “I am looking forward to building on the legacy that characterizes this great University and this amazing team.”

A four-time NCAA champion during his career at the University of Miami who broke the NCAA Championships record off the platform (901.60 points), he brings a wealth of experience at the highest levels of diving to the Tide’s staff.

During his collegiate career, Ramirez quickly became one of the nation’s best divers, capturing the NCAA 1-meter title from 1997-99 and the platform championship in 1999. His resume while competing for Team USA includes a Pan-American Games title in 1991, winning the USA National Synchronized 3-meter title in 2000, a first-place finish at the 2000 FINA Grand Prix off the 1-meter board and a third-place finish at the 2000 USA Olympic Diving Trials.

He was also part of the Cirque du Soleil productions of the “O” show in Las Vegas, Nev., from 2004-07.

Ramirez graduated from Miami in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with Alabama Swimming and Diving. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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