Legendary Arizona Swimming Coach Frank Busch Passes Away at Age 75
09/28/2026 | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
Arizona Athletics is mourning the loss of legendary Wildcats swimming coach Frank Busch, who passed away Sunday at the age of 75.
Busch was Arizona's head swimming coach from 1989-2011 and led both the Wildcat men's and women's teams to a national championship in 2008. His swimmers won 49 NCAA individual titles and 31 NCAA relay titles. He earned NCAA Coach of the Year honors six times and was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year 11 times. Busch also served on the Team USA coaching staff for the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
He is a member of the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, Pima County Sports Hall of Fame and American Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame.
"Coach Busch is a coaching icon in swimming circles, and his impact stretches throughout our sport, from the club level to the college level to the Olympics," Arizona swimming and diving head coach Ben Loorz said. "Our program wouldn't be where it is today without the foundation he created. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."
"Coach Busch was a legend in swimming and an important part of Arizona's history," R. Ken Coit Director of Athletics Desireé Reed-Francois said. "He was a gentleman, a mentor and a powerful leader. His legacy is a reminder that our impact as leaders lives on through the people we invest in, encourage and believe in. Our thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him."
Busch was Arizona's head swimming coach from 1989-2011 and led both the Wildcat men's and women's teams to a national championship in 2008. His swimmers won 49 NCAA individual titles and 31 NCAA relay titles. He earned NCAA Coach of the Year honors six times and was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year 11 times. Busch also served on the Team USA coaching staff for the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
He is a member of the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, Pima County Sports Hall of Fame and American Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame.
"Coach Busch is a coaching icon in swimming circles, and his impact stretches throughout our sport, from the club level to the college level to the Olympics," Arizona swimming and diving head coach Ben Loorz said. "Our program wouldn't be where it is today without the foundation he created. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."
"Coach Busch was a legend in swimming and an important part of Arizona's history," R. Ken Coit Director of Athletics Desireé Reed-Francois said. "He was a gentleman, a mentor and a powerful leader. His legacy is a reminder that our impact as leaders lives on through the people we invest in, encourage and believe in. Our thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him."
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