Bob Bowman

Bob Bowman Speaker Biography

Arizona State Head Swim Coach and Michael Phelps
Olympic Swim Coach and Mentor

Bob Bowman is one of the most well-known and successful swim coaches in the United States.  Bowman’s greatest success was having coached Michael Phelps, the greatest Olympian of all time, to a record breaking 22 medals. Phelps sealed his place this summer as the greatest swimmer in history and the most successful Olympian of all time by winning his 18th career gold in London; his 22nd Games medal, owing his success to Bowmans coaching.

History

Bowman began coaching at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club in 1996. During his 9-year tenure at NBAC, Bowman began coaching Michael Phelps. Although Phelps was only 11 years old, Bowman could already recognize his talent. Under Bowman’s tutelage, Phelps emerged as arguably the world’s greatest swimmer ever. Bowman’s strategic development of Phelps led to the greatest individual swimming performance of all-time, as Phelps set the Olympic record won at a single Olympic Games with 8 gold medals and 7 world records at the 2008 Beijing Games.

The Golden Rules

Bob’s book, The Golden Rules: 10 Steps to World-Class Excellence in Your Life and Work, is about winning in all walks of life and what you have to do to get there. By following The Golden Rules, you will learn through Bowman’s expert coaching to visualize in order to achieve your goals, and that above all else, dedication to your training, your job, or whatever area it is you are seeking to triumph in is paramount for success.

“I have full trust in him, and he has been the one person that’s got me where I am today. He’s the best coach for me.” -Michael Phelps

Other Coaching Accomplishments

Although Bowman is most noted for his successful development of Phelps, Bowman has coached various world class swimmers such as Peter Vanderkaay, Eric Vendt, Kaitlan Sandeno, Chris DeJong, Davis Tarwater, Chris Thompson, and Klete Keller. He has served as an assistant coach for the US Olympic Team in both  2004, 2008, and 2012. He has also served as both an assistant and head coach for four World Championship teams. Bowman was named the Head Swim Coach at the University of Michigan in 2005, and subsequently led them to the Big Ten Championship and a 6th place finish in the 2007-2008 NCAA Championship. He also led the Wolverines to a 2nd place Big Ten finish in 2007 and two 3rd place finishes in 2005 and 2006. He compiled a 30-8-1 record in dual meets, and was a remarkable 21-1-1 within the Big Ten.

Awards and Accolades

• Golden Goggles Coach of the Year award three times (2006-2008)
• Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year twice (2007-2008)
• USA Swimming and American Swimming Coaches Association Coach of the Year twice (2001 and 2003)
• USA Swimming’s Developmental Coach of the Year in 2002

Head Coach for Arizona State

Currently Bob is serving as the Swim Coach for Arizona State, and he will be travelling to Rio to Coach Michael Phelps in his final Olympics. Bowman is a highly sought-after inspirational and motivational speaker, whose topics include leadership, goal-setting, mental toughness, and achieving excellence.