RIP Frank Busch - one of swimming's greatest coaches, leaders, and mentors

The swimming world has lost a legend.

Awful news out of Arizona…Frank Busch passed away this past Sunday after having a massive heart attack.

Coach Busch was one of the world’s greatest swim coaches. He spent 22 years at the University of Arizona, winning both the men’s and women’s NCAA Championships in 2008 and coaching dozens of NCAA champions along the way. He was a 6-time NCAA Coach of the Year, coached on multiple U.S. Olympic teams, and eventually became USA Swimming’s National Team Director. More than anything, Frank has had a massive impact on generations of swimmers and coaches and was one of the most respected people in our sport.

And how can we forget the 2004 South African 4×100 Freestyle Relay? Every member of South Africa's legendary 2004 Olympic gold-medal 4×100 freestyle relay swam for Frank Busch at the University of Arizona.

Frank was one of our first dozen episodes (Episode 12 to be exact) of Inside with Brett Hawke.

He and Brett discussed…

What Frank took away from his 50 year career.
How he divided his time among his athletes.
Differences in coaching Men vs Women.
Advice for synergy between coaches and athletes.
How he fostered passion and pride in athletes throughout his career.
What every swimmer can learn from Michael Phelps.

And much more. If you’d like to revisit, here is the link to Apple Podcasts and here are the YouTube links:

Episode Timeline:
[00:03] Intro
[00:16] Frank Busch’s life post USA swimming retirement
[02:18] Is it hard being away from the pool?
[03:32] Advice young coaches need to hear
[05:38] Managing and fostering creativity in assistant coaches
[08:46] Keeping everyone on the same page
[14:01] Making contact with all the athletes
[16:47] Finding the right formula to win a championship
[18:50] Differences in coaching men and women teams
[20:27] Standout athletes and thoughts on Lacey Nymeyer
[24:33] Instilling passion and school pride while at the University of Arizona
[29:07] Speaking to all levels of experience on Olympic teams
[32:19] Choosing to lead at USA Swimming
[35:51] Advocating for the best athletes in the world
[39:34] What every swimmer can learn from Micheal Phelps
[42:01] How Micheal performed under pressure
[46:37] Dealing with jealousy and competition
[51:47] Processing disappointment and failure with athletes
[55:51] Frank Busch's thoughts on the ISL
[59:23] Will he write a book?

Just read the SwimSwam comments to understand what kind of man he was…

Coach A

I met Frank 30 years ago. I was a first-time head coach and he welcomed me and my team onto his pool deck in Tucson like we were old friends. He was gracious, humble and kind and treated everyone with respect. I never swam for him or worked for him other than one usa swimming distance camp, but I learned so much from him over the years. A lot about swimming, but mostly about life. His first question every time we saw each other was “How’s your daughter and family?” Condolences to his family. I’m grateful for having known him.

Keri Buff

When the doctors told me at the end of my sophomore year that if I wanted to pick up my kids someday that I would need to quit swimming, Frank was with me. He hugged me when I cried. A week later he asked me to coach. A year later he gave me my own group to coach. What head coach at a top 5 program would ever do this?!! He is a huge reason why I am who I am and why I parent and coach like I do. He touched and empowered so many people without ego. He just loved the sport of swimming and wanted to do whatever for whomever to help it grow.

Love you Frank!!

Mike Keeler

Hard to put into words hearing this news. A great coach, I was always in awe at what he and his staff accomplished at the University of Arizona. One of the pioneers of the double seasonal rest cycle that we all do now, his teams always seemed to be on another planet by the end of the year. Besides coaching, he treated everyone with such kindness and respect, as a coach, you always felt good after a conversation with Frank. I mean what national team director gives out his personal cell phone number during his coaching clinic talks. Treated his team and staff like the adults they were, a role model
gone way to soon. Loses like this make you ponder your own mortality. Prayers to all his family. RIP

Frank, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for the swimming community, but most importantly, for everything you did for me, Sandy, and my kids over the past 30 years.

You were an amazing mentor and an even more amazing human being.

You gave me the opportunity to swim under your guidance and, at the same time, to coach alongside you as a volunteer coach. After I retired as a professional swimmer, you trusted me to become the head coach of Hillenbrand Aquatics in Tucson without hesitation. I became a head coach with no experience, but I had something incredibly valuable—a mentor like you.

For the past 30 years, you were always there to listen, to give advice, and to help me grow—not only as a coach, but, more importantly, as a parent and as a person. I will always be grateful for that.

THANK YOU, FRANK!!!

To Patty and the entire Busch family, I am truly sorry for your loss. I also want to thank you for sharing Frank with all of us for so many years.

Frank coached champions, but what made him so special was that he was there for all of us. At any time, he was willing to listen and give his best and most honest advice. He made so many people better, not just as swimmers and coaches, but as human beings.

Please stay strong and know that we are here for you and will be there to help with anything you need.

Frank, rest in peace. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for everything.