Bob Bowman talks Leon Marchand, Paris 2024 and Texas: Episode 187

In this episode of the Social Kick podcast, we sit down with legendary swimming coach Bob Bowman, renowned for his role in shaping the careers of many Olympic champions, most notably Michael Phelps, but more recently with the swimming star of the Paris Olympic Games, France’s Leon Marchand. Bob’s group had quite an Olympic Games - shocker.

Beyond Leon’s medal haul in front of his home crowd, several other swimmers from the pro group training under Bob Bowman delivered in Paris, including Hubert Kos winning 200 backstroke gold, Ilya Kharun reaching the podium in both butterfly events, Regan Smith adding 5 more Olympic medals to her trophy case, and Paige Madden with 2 medals including her 800 freestyle bronze medal performance. Earlier this year, Bob led Arizona State to their first national championship title, completing a decade-long rebuild effort in which Bob turned ASU into a powerhouse.

Then before he and the Sun Devils had even dried off after their victorious jump into the pool at NCAAs, Bob shocked the swimming world with a cruel April Fools non-joke by announcing his departure from ASU on April 1, 2024 to take the head job at Texas, stepping into some of the biggest shoes imaginable to take over for the legend Eddie Reese. One thing is for sure. Bob Bowman loves a challenge. And to swim for Bob, you better be ready to be challenged.

Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe for weekly podcasts and daily shorts!