Bob Bowman Named Head Coach for U.S. Team at 2026 Pan Pacs
Bob Bowman on Monday was named the head coach of the United States team at the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships.
Bowman will direct a staff of eight at the meet which takes place in Irvine, California, this summer. Open water competition is Aug. 10, followed by pool competition Aug. 12-15.
Bowman is the director of swimming and diving and men’s head coach at the University of Texas. He’s won the last three NCAA titles as head coach, two with the Longhorns and in 2024 with Arizona State.
Bowman was the head coach of the U.S. men’s team at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and led the U.S. team at Pan Pacs in 2014.
“I am humbled and grateful to lead this team at this summer’s Pan Pacific Championships,” Bowman said in a USA Swimming statement. “This meet has traditionally been a launching pad for new talent and an opportunity for experienced veterans to begin their Olympic campaigns in earnest. We have a strong group of athletes, coaches, and staff who will represent our country well.”
“We are thrilled to bring this group of talented coaches together to lead our Pan Pacific Championships Team,” USA Swimming National Team Managing Director Greg Meehan said. “They are quality people, teachers, and mentors whose ability to connect with others will strengthen our team’s performance.”
Bowman didn’t go far for his assistants, including Carol Capitani, the head coach the Texas women’s program. Todd DeSorbo, the head coach of the women’s team at the Paris Olympics in 2024, is on the staff, as is Tokyo Olympics men’s head coach Dave Durden. Chris Lindauer and Ray Looze add two of the top college head coaches in the nation.
Florida is represented by senior associate head coach Whitney Hite. Stefani Wendelschaefer of NC State and open water coach Mohammed Khadembashi of TSM Aquatics round out the staff.
“One of our primary goals is to appoint coaching staffs who represent a combination of experience and youth,” Meehan said. “The depth of quality coaches in the United States is truly one of our greatest assets, and this staff reiterates that.”
Team USA Coaching Staff, 2026 Pan Pacific Championships
- Carol Capitani, women’s head coach, University of Texas
- Todd DeSorbo, men’s and women’s head coach, University of Virginia
- Dave Durden, director of swimming/head coach, University of California
- Chris Lindauer, director of women’s swimming, Stanford
- Ray Looze, men’s and women’s head coach, Indiana University
- Whitney Hite, senior associate head coach, University of Florida
- Mohammad Khadembashi, executive director and head coach, TSM Aquatics
- Stefani Wendelschaefer, assistant coach, NC State