The University of Denver has named Brian Schrader head coach of its men and women's swimming and diving program, announced today by Director of Athletics and Recreation Peg Bradley-Doppes. Schrader comes to DU after serving five years as an assistant coach at the University of Georgia. During his five-year tenure at Georgia, Schrader helped the women's program to the 2005 NCAA National Championship and four national runner-up finishes. He also helped the men's program to four national top-10 finishes. Schrader replaces former DU head coach Jim Henry, who resigned in May for an assistant coaching position at the University of Texas.

Schrader will also retain recently promoted associate head coach Alicia Hicken-Franklin, assistant coach Mike Laitala and head diving coach Jeff Carter. The trio of Hicken-Franklin, Laitala and Carter played an integral part of turning DU into a Sun Belt Conference contender under Henry for the past two seasons.

"I am so proud to have been selected to be the head swimming and diving coach at the University of Denver," Schrader said. "Directing an NCAA Division I men's and women's program has always been my professional goal and to do it at a great institution like DU in my home state of Colorado is literally a dream.

"It is also a huge bonus to be able to retain the coaches here at Denver. I am pleased to have Alicia promoted to associate head coach in recognition of her long-term commitment and coaching success for five years at DU. I know Mike's coaching style and collegiate background will be an asset and Jeff has a great reputation as a diving coach."

While at Georgia, Schrader directed the sprint group and was directly responsible for coaching numerous All-Americans and placing student-athletes on USA, France and U.S. Virgin Islands' National Teams. He also played an integral part in Georgia's recruiting and scouting efforts. In his six years of coaching in the prestigious Southeastern Conference (having spent the 1999-2000 season at the Florida) and one year in the Big Ten Conference at Iowa (1999-2000), Schrader has helped 13 male and female athletes earn nine All-America honors and 51 honorable mention All-America accolades.

"We are thrilled to have Brian lead the DU swimming and diving program," Bradley-Doppes said. "Brian's coaching and recruiting experience as an assistant coach at a top Division I institution will be a major asset. He's a passionate coach who shares our vision of building upon the standards of excellence that our previous coaches developed at DU."

Schrader came to Athens after a one-year stint at Iowa, where he was on a first-year coaching staff of a team that broke 12 school records and produced two All-Americans.

Prior to working at Florida, Schrader was USA Swimming's National Team Coordinator from 1995-99. While at USA Swimming, he was in charge of Team Selection for all of USA Swimming's International and National Events; Technical Logistics and Team Preparation; Budget Development and Maintenance for all National Team Programs; Elite Athlete financial assistance; and Life Skills programs. He also served as a liaison to the United States Olympic Committee and was on USA Swimming's technical planning team.

From 1993-95, Schrader was the assistant senior coach at Texas Aquatics in Austin, where he helped the squad to the 1992-93 Junior National Championship. Before that, Schrader was a graduate assistant coach at the University of Texas from 1991-92 when the team won a pair of national titles.

In 2001, Schrader received the Glenn S. Hummer Award at the USA Swimming convention. The honor is given to a person for outstanding committee service and the advancement of Open Water swimming in the United States.

He has served as a U.S. Team staff member on several international appointments while working at USA Swimming, including the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, the 1997 World University Games in Italy, the 1998 World Championships in Australia and the 1999 Pan-American Games in Winnipeg. His international travels have continued while a member of the Georgia staff, as he was a member of the U.S. staff for the 2001 World Championships in Japan and the 2003 Pan-American Games in the Dominican Republic. Previously, Schrader served as coach for the National All-Star Distance Camp held at the Olympic Training Center in July of 2002.

Schrader served as a coach for the U.S. Virgin Islands at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. He has qualified for the USA Swimming National Team Coaches Trip List and was one of three coaches selected to attend the U.S. Olympic Committee Coaches College.

The Greeley, Colo., native earned his Bachelor's degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas in 1991. He went on to earn his Master's degree in kinesiology and sports administration from Texas in 1998.