Legendary Swimming Coach Jon Urbanchek Has Died

5/10/2024 12:11:00 PM | General

Urbanchek was inducted into the Long Beach State Hall of Fame in 2004.

By: Roger Kirk, Associate Athletics Director, Communications & Broadcast

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Former Long Beach State Swimming Coach and USA Swimming legend Jon Urbanchek has died at the age of 87.

                Urbanchek was inducted into the Long Beach State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004. Spending four seasons as the swim and diving head coach from 1979-1982, Urbanchek then went to go on to create a Men's Swimming dynasty at Michigan, coaching for 22 years and winning the 1995 NCAA Championship as well as 13 Big Ten conference championships.

                Well known internationally as well, Urbanchek made his first Olympic appearance as a coach in 1988, and would go on to coach in five straight Olympics and serve as a special assistant for Team USA in two more. He coached 34 Olympic swimmers who totaled seven gold, six silver and four bronze medals.

                He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2008.