May 28, 2002
Clemson, SC – Bruce Marchionda, who led Clemson to 98 total wins, and a 62 percent winning percentage in his eight years as head coach, has resigned as head coach of the Tigers men’s and women’s swimming programs.
The search for a successor will begin immediately, Senior Associate Athletic Director Dwight Rainey said on Tuesday.
Marchionda was the driving force behind Clemson’s return to ACC and national prominence the last eight years. He inherited a program that had a 16-43 record in the three years previous to his arrival. But, Marchionda coached the Tigers to 24 school records and a 98-61-1 combined record in his eight years running both programs.
Marchionda brought the Lady Tiger program an ACC Championship in 1997, the program’s first title since 1989. The Lady Tigers posted a 7-2 record that season, his third with the program, and he was named ACC Coach of the Year in the process. Clemson’s women’s team never finished lower than fourth in the ACC in his eight years. The Lady Tigers were ranked 21st in the nation as recently as 2001. The men’s program had a 7-2 record as recently as 2000 and had a 17-8 record over his last three years, a 65 percent winning percentage.
Marchionda leaves Clemson with the highest winning percentage among Clemson swimming coaches through the first eight years of a tenure.
“I would like to express my thanks to a great university and a very supportive administrative staff,” said Marchionda. “The success I have had at Clemson has opened some doors for me and it would be foolish for me not to seize these new opportunities.
“I wish continued success to the Clemson swimming and diving programs and hope they continue to improve upon the foundation that I helped build.”
December 8, 2024
