First-year Texas A&M Head Men's Swimming Coach Jay Holmes has been given a four-year contract extension Director of Athletics Bill Byrne announced on Monday.

"We are committed to doing what it takes to put our swimming and diving teams among the nation¹s elite," Byrne said. That elite surely includes cross-state rival Texas. A&M's seemingly-perpetitual bridesmaid status to the Longhorns was rumored to be a source of consternation for Byrne. SMU, A&M and Texas will lock horns in February.

"Offering Jay a four-year extension is a reinforcement of our commitment to the men¹s program and its future. We are going to do what it takes to push ourselves to the next level. This is the next step in that process."

Holmes was hired as the sixth men's swimming coach in Texas A&M history following Mel Nash's firing in mid-July. At the time of the hiring Byrne said, "We’re going to give Jay a chance to see whether or not he can be the head swimming coach." Within weeks, Holmes hired Doug Boyd, to serve as his assistant. Boyd spent 10 years as a head coach at both Rice, where he was the WAC Coach of the Year, and UC-San Diego, where he was the NCAA Div. III Coach of the Year.

"I'm thrilled to have been given this kind of commitment and responsibility from Bill and our department," Holmes said. "Since day one, Bill has asked me what we need to be successful. I told him we needed a full-fledged commitment from the department that shows to those outside our walls that not only are we not going anywhere, but that we will do what it takes to get to the next level."

"It's great to be in a place where people, particularly in the administration, not only want you do well, but care about what¹s going on with swimming and are willing to do what it takes to push you further in the right direction. There are a lot of places where people want the swimming program to do well. Texas A&M is a place that puts those wants into action."

The Texas A&M men's swimming & diving team will begin its season Friday at the Big 12 Relays in Lawrence, Kansas.