Bill Smyth Announces Retirement After 18 Years at Boston University

Photo Courtesy: Patriot League

Bill Smyth Announces Retirement After 18 Years at Boston University

Long-time Boston University coach Bill Smyth has announced his retirement from coaching after 18 years leading the Bulldogs.

Smyth took over the men’s and women’s programs in 2005. His swimmers have won 127 individual conference titles, including six conference swimmers and 11 conference divers of the year. He’s posted a .678 winning percentage, with 32 of his 36 combined seasons in charge featuring a winning record.

“After 18 years of being fortunate enough to be the head swimming & diving coach at Boston University, I have decided that it is time to step down so that I can start the next stage of my professional life,” Smyth said in a university release. “I want to thank former athletic director Mike Lynch and former associate athletic director Nancy Lyons for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime here at BU when they hired me in 2005. I also want to thank our current athletic director, Drew Marrochello, and supervisor, Aaron Aaker, for providing the guidance and resources to coach a successful team in and out of the water. “

Smyth led BU to four America East titles (three women’s, one men’s) plus men’s and women’s ECAC crowns in 2013. Five times, he led the America East Coaching Staff of the Year, four on the men’s side. They joined the Patriot League in 2013, with Smyth helping Stephanie Nasson become the first Terrier at NCAAs since 2000 that year.

Among the many school honors swimmers have won at BU are eight prestigious Scarlet Key recognition from BU, three John Simpson Awards for leadership & enthusiasm, two E. Ray Speare Awards for top scholar-athlete, one Mickey Cochrane Award for top athlete and five of each the Paul Lewis Student-Athlete Service Award and Gretchen Schuyler Award as top scholar-athlete.

“Bill proudly led our swimming & diving programs and his distinguished career is highlighted by the immense success his student-athletes achieved both in the pool and in the BU community,” director of athletics Drew Marrochello said. “He has always had the respect of his peers and he was in the coaching profession for all the right reasons. Countless Terriers have benefitted from Bill’s coaching and he truly dedicated his time to ensuring that they developed holistically during their careers at BU. I’m proud and honored to have worked with Bill over the past 18 years.”

Smyth was a standout at the University of Virginia, a 1994 graduate who was named to the ACC’s 50th Anniversary Men’s Swimming and Diving Team in 2002. He finaled in the 400 individual medley at 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials and set the UVA and ACC records in that event, a six-time conference champion and five-time All-America.

He began coaching as an assistant at UVA from 1997-05. He also worked with clubs like like Jersey Wahoos and Phoenix Swim Club in the mid-1990s and served as an assistant coach for the Macedonian Olympic team at the 2000 Olympics.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my coaching colleague, mentor and friend – Mark Bernardino – who inspired and shaped me as a swimmer, coach and person,” Smyth said. “I also want to thank my assistant coaches, Hannah Saiz, Brad Snodgrass, Jen Strasburger and Agnes Miller, who helped make the program, both in its character and success.”

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