Q&A with Coach Scott Armstrong
Head Coach
Men’s & Women’s Swimming Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
By Michael J. Stott
After coaching Stanford distance and individual medley athletes to considerable NCAA success, Scott Armstrong has returned to his Johns Hopkins roots and is guiding the Blue Jay men and women to NCAA D-III top-five finishes.
In his first three full seasons at Johns Hopkins, his men have finished fourth three times at D-III NCAAs and have amassed 107 All-America honors, winning two individual championships. His women have placed in the top 10 twice (fifth in 2018) and have garnered 74 A-A recognitions.
Credentials:
• Johns Hopkins University, B.A., political science with a philosophy focus, 2003
• 18x NCAA D-III All-American and senior captain; NCAA record holder, 1650 yard freestyle; set school records in the 500, 1000 and 1650 yard free, 400 IM, 200 free relay
• Placed second at NCAAs 11 times and top three 14 times
• JHU head men’s and women’s swimming coach, 2016-present
• Stanford assistant coach, 2012-16; coach of NCAA champion David Nolan
• Associate head coach, North Baltimore Aquatic Club, 2009-11; assistant coach, 2003-09; developmental coach of Chase Kalisz
• Head coach, U.S. women’s team for Junior Pan Pacs, 2010
• Received the JHU C. Gardner Mallonee Award, given to the graduating athlete who “contributed the most to the athletic department” across all school sports
• Inducted into the JHU Athletic Hall of Fame, 2015
Swimming World: How does it feel to be back in Baltimore, specifically at Johns Hopkins?
Scott Amstrong: I love Baltimore and Hopkins. Baltimore is a fun, funky, vibrant city, full of life, activities, people and great food. Hopkins is a special place for me. It’s my alma mater and a place with which I philosophically align. The school’s main mission is research and creating lifelong learners. The people who love Hopkins and succeed here are simply curious and hard working. There is no entitlement and no grade inflation!
To access the full interview with Coach Armstrong,
check out the November issue of Swimming World, out now!
[PHOTO CREDIT: BECCA WYANT]
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046 GUTTERTALK
048 PARTING SHOT