The Columbus Aquatic Club, known locally as the Hurricanes swim team (HURR), is thrilled to announce the appointment of Brian Smith as the team’s new Head Coach, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to the team. Smith, who spent 16 seasons at the University of Georgia and has served as Associate Head Coach for the past decade, will officially join the HURR coaching staff and lead the program into a new era of excellence, beginning October 1.

With an illustrious career spanning over 30 years, Smith has been instrumental in shaping the careers of numerous elite swimmers. He made significant contributions at Georgia, particularly in coaching sprinters. Smith served as the primary coach for numerous Georgia recordholders, including Michael Trice (50 and 100 freestyle, relays), Dillon Downing (50 and 100 freestyle, relays), Camden Murphy (100 butterfly, relays), Michael Arnold (50 freestyle, relays), Doug Reynolds (100 butterfly, relays), Taylor Dale (100 backstroke, relays), Olivia Smoliga (50 and 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, relays), Chelsea Britt (100 butterfly, relay), Chantal Van Landeghem (relays), and Veronica Burchill (relay). During his time at Georgia, he helped the Women’s team achieve six straight SEC Championship titles from 2010-2016, and three NCAA National Championship titles in 2013, 2014, 2016. He helped secure the team’s twelve top ten NCAA team finishes, including program best finishes for the Men’s team in 2014, 2016 and 2021.

While serving as the recruiting coordinator for Georgia Swim/Dive, Smith consistently brought top-tier talent to Athens. Notably, in 2019, both the men’s and women’s freshman classes were ranked in the top five nationally, with six freshmen earning CSCAA All- America honors. His efforts were pivotal in securing Olympians Olivia Smoliga, Javier Acevedo and Nic Fink, along with other notable swimmers including Camden Murphy, Dakota Luther, Reese Branzell, and Columbus High School graduate and All-American,
Jessica Graber.

Smith’s accomplishments extend beyond collegiate coaching. He served as a USA Swimming National Team coach from 2014 to 2021, including serving as the United States women's head coach at the 2018 Short Course World Championships in China, and as an assistant coach at the 2016 Short Course World Championships in Canada and the 2017 World University Games in Taiwan. Notably, he served as primary coach for National Team athletes Anne Marie Botek, Maddie Locus, Taylor Dale, and Olivia Smoliga.

Smith's coaching journey began in 1991 at Arizona State, where he worked as a graduate assistant and assistant coach. His subsequent roles at Rice University, FAST in Montana,Northern Arizona University, and Ohio University further honed his skills and contributed to his reputation as a leading coach in the swimming community.

A 1990 graduate of Clark University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics, Smith also holds a master’s degree in Athletic Administration from Ohio University.

“It is my privilege to welcome Brian Smith to Columbus and to the Columbus Aquatic Club, home of the Hurricanes,” said Mark Miller, head of the Search Committee, former competitive swimmer and parent of two competitive swimmers. “His history of developing top-tier talent is without question, and his coaching expertise will offer the greater Columbus area a unique opportunity for current and future competitive swimmers to realize their maximum potential. Having risen to the top of a highly talented group of coaching candidates, I trust that Coach Brian will be an ambassador for competitive swimming in our region, and his addition to our current team of premier coaching staff, will be the future of the Hurricanes.”

The Columbus Aquatic Club invites the community and media to join in welcoming Coach Brian Smith. For further information and updates, please visit www.swimhurricanes.com or contact [email protected]