Mason Norman Earns Four-Year Extension with Ohio Swimming and Diving
10/12/2026 3:00:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
ATHENS, Ohio — Ohio University and Ohio Director of Athletics Slade Larscheid announced today (Oct. 12) that swimming and diving head coach Mason Norman has agreed to a multi-year contract extension.Â
Norman, who was named head coach of the Bobcats on March 23, 2018, has guided Ohio swimming and diving to continued success both in the pool and in the classroom during his tenure.Â
"Thank you to Slade Larscheid and President Gonzalez for their trust and support," Norman said. "I am honored to continue leading a program with a proud tradition and a legacy shaped by generations of exceptional men and women. Our student athletes inspire me every day, and I am excited to continue building on that foundation as we strive for excellence in the pool, in the classroom, and in our community."Â
Most recently, Norman led the Bobcats back-to-back second-place finishes at the Mid-American Conference Championships. In 2025, the second-place finish marked Ohio's highest finish at the conference championships since 2013. Following the performance, Norman was named MAC Coach of the Year, becoming the first Ohio coach to earn the honor since 2011.Â
Under Norman's leadership, the Bobcats have produced numerous individual conference champions, All-MAC selections and school-record performances. During the 2024-25 season, Ohio saw school records fall in the 50-, 100- and 200-yard freestyle, the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke, the 200- and 400-yard medley relays and the 400-yard freestyle relay.Â
The 2024-25 season also saw Zita Szoke become the first Ohio swimmer to earn All-American honors since 2000. Szoke finished 11th in the 100-yard freestyle at the NCAA Championships, earning CSCAA Second Team All-American honors while setting a new MAC record.Â
Norman's impact extends beyond the pool, with the Bobcats consistently earning recognition for their academic achievements. Over the past two seasons, 36 Bobcats were named to the Academic All-MAC Team, while eight were named CSC Academic-All District. Ohio also earned CSCAA Scholar All-American recognition.Â
"Mason Norman's leadership has been instrumental to our swimming and diving program's growing success," Larscheid said. "It was important to recognize Mason's accomplishments, including but not limited to the team's highest conference championship finish in over a decade. In addition to their consistent growth in the pool, our swimmers and divers continue to be terrific representatives in the classroom. We're very pleased that Mason will continue to lead those programs for years to come."Â
Before arriving in Athens, Norman spent five seasons on the staff at Kentucky, including one season as associate head coach. He also spent time at Utah and Tennessee. As a student-athlete at Wingate University, Norman was a 22-time All-American and a member of the 2010 NCAA Division II national championship 400-yard freestyle relay team. He also competed at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials.Â
The four-year extension will keep Norman at the helm of the Ohio swimming and diving program through the 2029-30 season.Â
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