Western Kentucky’s Brian Thomas Named UNLV Assistant Coach

Photo Courtesy: UNLV Athletics

After spending the last five seasons on the Western Kentucky University coaching staff where he helped the Hilltoppers to a total of three conference championships, Brian Thomas will be making a move West as he has been named assistant coach for the UNLV swimming and diving programs, Interim Head Coach Bobby Folan announced on Thursday.

“Brian’s experience as an Associate Head Coach at a top mid-major program make him an exciting addition to our staff,” said Folan. “He has worked with elite level international swimmers, a US Olympic gold medalist, and NCAA All-Americans, and has recruited some of the top swimmers currently in the NCAA. Brian will help us work towards our goals of moving up at conference and NCAAs.”

“More then anything I’m excited for the chance to come out and work with Bobby and Ellie (Monobe) and Derek (Starks),” said Thomas. “I feel this is going to be an exciting place to be, working with a group of young coaches like we will have on the staff is going to be like getting a shot of energy. I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together, and our staff, with its youth and energy, will be a great draw when recruiting local and international swimmers. I can’t wait to get started and help the Rebels continue their rise towards the nations elite.”

Thomas was an integral part of Western Kentucky’s success during his time on the staff. The women’s squad won the 2013 Sun Belt Championship title, while the WKU men’s team were Conference USA champions in both 2014 and 2015. Promoted to associate head coach in the 2013-14 season after three years as an assistant for the Hilltoppers, Thomas worked with the team’s freestylers, breaststrokers and IMers. He also served as the program’s recruiting coordinator, and WKU’s recruiting classes under Thomas garnered high praise, with the 2012 men’s class ranking 22nd in the nation by CollegeSwimming.com.

In his role as leader of the breaststroke group, he coached WKU’s Fabian Schwingenschlogl to All-America honors at the 2014 NCAA National Championships with an eighth-place finish in the finals of the 100 breast, and again in 2015 when Schwingenshlogl placed sixth in the 100 breast and 12th in the 200 breast. He also served in an assistant coach role for Claire Donahue, 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist and current U.S. National Team member.

During his time in Bowling Green, Ky., Thomas served on the Kentucky Swimming Board of Directors, the local governing body for USA Swimming, and also was involved in a fellowship program with the American Swimming Coaches Association, a program intended to get young coaches involved in governance and leadership within the sport. Prior to joining the WKU staff, Thomas spent a year volunteering with the women’s swimming and diving program at Rutgers University while working as a product specialist for Event Solutions International, a marketing firm based in East Brunswick, N.J.

Thomas’ first collegiate job was at Connecticut, his alma mater, where he served as assistant coach from 2007-09, and was the primary coach for the mid-distance and distance freestylers. During his two seasons, he guided the UConn distance group to two school records as well as two NCAA “B” cuts.

In addition to his responsibilities with the swimming and diving program at UConn, Thomas also served as Head Coach and Director of Swimming Operations for The University Aquatic Club in Storrs, Conn., from 2005-2009. Over the course of four years, Thomas guided the USA Swimming club program back to prominence on both a regional and national scale. At UAC, Thomas’ athletes enjoyed many achievements including a Connecticut Resident Record, a National Age Group Top-10 time, a Junior National and Short Course National qualifier and numerous Speedo Champions Series qualifiers. Thomas’ time at UAC culminated with a top-five combined team finish at the 2009 Connecticut Senior Open.

From 2005-2007, Thomas served as head coach for the boys’ and girls’ swimming and diving Teams at E.O. Smith High School in Mansfield, Conn. Thomas’ teams at E.O. Smith set several school records, achieved a top-five finish at the Connecticut Class “L” State Championship and compiled a dual meet record of 28-8.

Thomas, a four-year letterwinner for the Huskies’ swimming and diving team from 2001-05, graduated from UConn with a bachelor’s degree in history.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World. To reach our audience, contact us at newsmaster@swimmingworld.com.

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