NCAA Swimming: $2.75 Million Deal Makes Michael Phelps’ Coach Bob Bowman Richer Than Eddie Reese

Bob Bowman has gotten himself one of the most lucrative deals in the NCAA swimming. Bowman has been one of the most noted personalities, coaching the likes of Michael Phelps and many other renowned names. The 59-year-old was appointed as the US Men’s head coach for the 2007,2009, and 2013 FINA World Championships. Bowman also carried out the duties of the assistant coach for the US National team at three World Championships (2003,2005,2011). 

During his illustrious NCAA swimming coaching career, Bowman has so far coached swimmers who are part of 43 world records. Apart from this, his students have also registered a whopping 50 American records. And with the latest $2.75 million deal, Bob Bowman will now be earning more than Eddie Reese. 

Bob Bowman lands a whopping pot of gold at the end of the rainbow

In a recent turn of events, Bob Bowman has been handed a $2.75 million contract by the University of Texas. Extending his tenure by almost six and a half years, Bowman is slated to draw an annual salary of $400,000, which would then be raised to $450,000 eventually. As the details of the contract came to light, it was revealed that the University of Texas would also provide Bowman with an ‘Exceptional performance incentives’. 

While the contract looks like a great deal, it means that Bowman would have to leave Arizona. With the buyout money becoming a factor, the University of Texas has already agreed to bear the cost to secure Bowman’s services. Such a contract does not come as a surprise looking at the 59-year-old’s profile. It is believed that a chunk of 23x Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps’ success can be attributed to Bowman’s coaching. 

Interestingly, the new contract would make him surpass the Longhorns’ legendary swimming coach, Eddie Reese. Reese stayed with the Longhorns for nearly fifty years and boasted of a contract worth $2.70m. However, looking at the average salary of swimming coaches, not many have had the fortune to earn beyond the usual. 

NCAA Swimming coaches who have earned more than the average 

A look at the statistics presented by Glassdoor would reveal that the average annual salary for a swimming coach in the US was $40,585. However, apart from Eddie Reese, there have been several coaches who have earned way above the average. Back in 2017, Jake Bauerle got a contract of $380,000 while coaching for Georgia. 

Likewise, Dave Durden earned a handsome $260,675 in 2020, being the head coach for California. Lastly, in the same year the women’s coach of California, Teri McKeever, clinched a $242,500 contract to keep herself well beyond the average.