“Haven’t Had a Lot of Sleep”: Michael Phelps’ Coach Bob Bowman Explains His Side About Shocking Decision

Bob Bowman still feels connected with his former coaching club, the Arizona State University Sun Devils. The 59-year-old Columbia native cut all ties with ASU this year after their maiden NCAA swimming title championship victory in March. Much discussion filled the air, speculating over the possible reasons for leaving the camp that Michael Phelps‘ coach had built over his 8-year tenure. However, the veteran did not provide any explanation for his decision to join the Texas Longhorns’ swimming camp. Instead, he expressed his joy when Leon Marchand, arguably his most prolific mentee from ASU, decided to move to Texas to train under him for his Olympic preparation.

But now, in a conversation with Sports Illustrated, Bob Bowman expressed that leaving the ASU camp was hard for him. It was so intense that he “haven’t had a lot of sleep for a while.” Narrating further, the national champion coach added, “I put my heart and soul into ASU, love it to death, love those guys. When the opportunity came up, it was kind of an agonizing month.” But, yet he had to jump to accept the coaching role offered by the University of Texas, as it was one of the ‘rare’ opportunities that came his way. Bob had further words to save his side, frankly, his decision to change his coaching camp. 

It is all about professionalism down the line, as he mentioned. Focusing on the swimming coach post, Michael Phelps’ long-time coach said, “We get caught up in swimming—all of us love it so much, it’s just a thing we do. But they’re going to move on someday and have a career, and this is my career. So I’m going to be doing this long after they’re finished swimming, and I had to make some decisions in accordance with that.” The proof of this is visible in Bob’s coaching resume, where he has managed key positions in both NCAA, USA Swimming, and elite level. 

In the future as well, the Columbia-born coach will continue to follow the same dictate. Recently, another incident proved his professional nuances. 

Bob Bowman leaves the camp that once gifted Michael Phelps 

After Bob Bowman’s successful stint as the head coach in the Fukuoka World Aquatics Championships, the renowned coach has thrown his name into the ring for the same position in the upcoming Paris Olympics. It’s worth noting that the UT coach has been involved with the US Olympic swimming team in the last four Olympics (except in Tokyo). In 2016, Bob Bowman was promoted to the head coach position for the USA Olympic swimming team, coinciding with Michael Phelps’ final appearance on the Olympic platform. Now, as serious comparisons arise between Phelps and Leon Marchand, Bob Bowman has attempted to deflect such comparisons.

He has shifted as the HC of the French swimming team for the Paris Olympics, leaving the American camp and as per him, it is because of his avoiding taking anyone’s side. “I don’t want to be in that position, I don’t want to be put Team USA in that position, I would never do that,” he clarified. His professionalism ties him to the responsibilities of coaching clubs, a commitment he will uphold. Bob Bowman understands the challenges ahead, reminiscent of when he had to depart from the University of Michigan camp, only to have a young Michael Phelps follow him. However, it is this adherence to principles that makes Bob Bowman a steadfast adherent to the rules.