Fact Check: Eddie Reese Hasn’t Changed Retirement Decision; Bob Bowman to Lead Texas Longhorns for NCAA Season

Eddie Reese needs no introduction, as he has already established himself as one of the most respected figures in the coaching realm. He is most widely renowned for leading the United States men’s Olympic team three times in his career. Apart from piloting the Olympic pack, Reese is also known for being the mastermind behind the University of Texas’ Texas Longhorns’ men’s swimming and diving operations. The Florida-based coach supervised the Longhorns for years, and after last year’s NCAA season, he decided to hang up his coaching hat. 

The time has finally arrived, and he has passed the baton to another coaching legend, Bob Bowman, who was the mentor of Olympic icon Michael Phelps. Amid all these updates, a post went viral on April 1st, suggesting Eddie Reese not leaving Longhorns as he has reconsidered his retirement decision. However, the truth reveals he is indeed stepping down from the coaching role, suggesting the post may have been a prank.

Eddie Reese: closing the chapter on a glittering coaching career, no joke

It was a tweet from Buttstroke Swimming that went viral on Monday. The post read, “BREAKING: The University of Texas & Men’s Head Swim Coach Eddie Reese have agreed to an 8-year, $2.2 Million contract extension, locking him in as coach of the Longhorns through the 2031-32 NCAA season, @wokereese tells Buttstroke Swimming.” The tweet had everyone bewildered, as the swimming community seemed confused about Reese’s career whereabouts and whether he’s going to stay or leave.

But it was later determined that the post was just an April Fools Day gag and that the 82-year-old coaching genius is bidding adieu to his illustrious career. The news was confirmed by the Texas Longhorns themselves as they offered their gratitude to the luminary through a tweet, and the organization also welcomed their new head coach, Bob Bowman, who was in charge of swimming and diving programs at Arizona State University previously. Additionally, Eddie Reese has contributed significantly to the Longhorns squad, leading to numerous remarkable achievements during his time with the team.

Riding the Texas Longhorns wave: A legacy of boundless achievements

The Daytona Beach native joined the facility in 1978, and he remains the only swimming coach who has won NCAA team titles in five separate decades, which include the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. It was the year 1981 when he shepherded the Texas Longhorns to victory and claimed his first title with the team, and then it was followed by 14 championships, making it a total of 15 NCAA titles. “Working with swimmers has been one of the true joys of my life. It has been an honor for me to be a part of this program,” is what he said in his statement given to the University of Texas’ website.

In addition to securing 15 titles, the Longhorns clinched runner-up positions 13 times, achieved top-2 finishes on 28 occasions, and notched 36 top-3 finishes. With an impressive streak of 44 consecutive top-10 finishes under Eddie Reese’s mentorship, the success seems endless. With all that being said, it’s finally time to say goodbye to the legend, and the swimming fans will be cherishing the legacy that he has left behind.

Read More: One Of America’s Most Successful Coach Eddie Reese Honored By Historic Title At Golden Goggle Awards