Michael Norment Named Head Coach at Notre Dame
A new era has begun in South Bend, as Notre Dame has named Michael Norment as the program’s Peterson Family Head Swimming & Diving Coach, James E. Rohr Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua announced on Thursday.
Norment joins the Irish after a successful year as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for the men’s team at his alma mater, the University of Georgia.
“After a thorough national search, we are thrilled to welcome Michael Norment to the Notre Dame family,” University Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua said. “During the interview process, it became abundantly clear that Michael shares our firm commitment to the fully integrated student-athlete experience. We cannot wait to have Michael and his family on campus.”
Last season, the Bulldogs finished seventh at the 2025 NCAA Championships and posted 13 College Swimming & Diving Association of America All-American performances. Additionally, Norment was crucial in the development of Georgia’s Luca Urlando, who won a national title in the 200 butterfly, breaking the American, NCAA, U.S. Open and NCAA Championships records with the performance.
“I am extremely excited and honored to have been chosen to lead the Fighting Irish swimming and diving program,” Norment said. “I want to start by expressing gratitude to Father (Robert A.) Dowd and Pete (Bevacqua) for this amazing opportunity.
“Notre Dame’s deep tradition, passionate fans and place at the forefront of college academics and athletics made this an attractive job for me, and the interactions I had during the interview process solidified my desire to make the move to South Bend. When you step on campus, it is obvious that Notre Dame strives for excellence in everything it does, whether it is in the classroom, in the pool or in every interaction the prestigious university has across the country and across the globe. I can’t wait to hit the ground running and build on that tradition.
“To Georgia Athletic Director Josh Brooks, Head Coach Neil Versfeld, Senior Associate Athletic Director Matt Brachowski, Team Administrator Christen Shedden, Senior Associate Athletic Director Glada Horvat and Senior Deputy Director of Athletics Darrice Griffin — thank you for providing me with an opportunity to grow and learn. I will forever be grateful for your help and support. To the Georgia men’s swimming and diving program, thank you. I love you and Godspeed.”
Norment returned to Athens last year after serving as an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s teams at Georgia Tech for five seasons. During his time with the Yellow Jackets, Norment helped produce six individual ACC swimming championships. At the team level, Georgia Tech scored in four consecutive NCAA Men’s Championships, including a 21st-place finish in both 2021 and 2022. The women’s team also posted scoring performances twice under his watch. For his hand in the Yellow Jackets’ success, Norment was named one of six finalists for the 2022 American Swimming Coaches Association Coach of the Year Award.
Additionally, Norment has played a pivotal role in the success of his swimmers on the international stage, most notably with 2024 Olympic silver medalist Nic Fink, who began training with Norment in 2021.
At the club level, Norment is the founder of Metro Atlanta Aquatic Club (MAAC) and co-founder of the Swim With A Purpose Swim School. While at MAAC, Norment coached future NCAA champion and World University Games Gold Medalist Dean Farris, who also won two NCSA Junior National titles and a pair of Georgia high school state championships.
Norment hails from Hempstead, N.Y., and he had an impressive career as a student-athlete at the University of Georgia, swimming under legendary head coach Jack Bauerle. Norment was a 16-time All-American and helped the Bulldogs finish third at the 1997 NCAA Championships, the highest team finish in program history.
Further, he won the 1994 SEC title in the 100 breaststroke as a freshman and followed that performance with three consecutive silver medals. As a member of the 1992 U.S. Junior National Team, Norment was twice named to the USA Swimming National Team in 1997 and 1998 and competed for Team USA at two Pan-Pacific Championships. In 1998, the breaststroker finished the international year ranked fifth in the world in the 100.
Norment graduated from Georgia in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in education. Norment and his wife, Nay, have two children: daughter, Assata Rose, and son, Mozi.