(Story courtesy of Austin College)
SHERMAN, Texas - Bob Filander has been named the new head men's and women's swimming and diving coach at Austin College, athletics director David Norman has announced. Filander most recently served as an assistant coach at Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania.
Filander, a 1999 graduate of Washington & Jefferson, served as an assistant coach at his alma mater from 1999 through 2007. In his time there he coached 15 conference champions, 10 national qualifiers, and coached one individual to five national championships in swimming. He also coached three divers to conference championships. Filander also served as the lead recruiter for the W&J swimming and diving teams.
"We are excited to welcome Bob to Austin College," said Norman. "He is a proven and dedicated coach who knows not only swimming and diving, but also values the NCAA Division III experience as someone who has both coached and competed at a high level."
In addition to his experience with swimming and diving, Filander also served as the head men's and women's water polo coach at W&J from 2003 through 2007 and was an adjunct professor of physical education. Filander also worked as a volunteer assistant with the Austin College men's and women's swimming and diving teams during the 2011-2012 season.
From 2007 to 2009, Filander served as the Aquatic Director at the Charlotte County YMCA in North Port, Florida, and is certified by the Aquatic Training Institute and also helped produce the Water Polo Officiating Manual.
Filander was an accomplished two-sport student-athlete while at Washington & Jefferson, winning conference championships in the 100 meter breaststroke and 400 meter medley relay as a swimmer, and he captured conference titles in the 400 meter dash, 400 meter relay, and 1600 meter relay as a member of the track and field team. He was named the Washington & Jefferson Male Athlete of the Year as a senior.
