University of New Orleans Director of Athletics Jim Miller announced Wednesday that Randy Horner has been named the school’s second head swimming coach. The hiring is pending approval by the LSU Board of Supervisors. Moreover, Horner has been given the task of building a men's swimming program at UNO.

Horner comes to UNO after spending nine seasons as an assistant coach at Missouri State, where he helped the Bears to nine Missouri Valley Conference championship titles in men’s and women’s swimming under long-time head coach Jack Steck.

He replaces former Olympic gold medalist Ashley Tappin, who resigned to pursue other career opportunities in June.

“Randy is the perfect fit for us,” Miller said. “He understands where we are in the infancy of our swimming program, and he has a great plan to take our program forward following the strides made by Ashley and her staff.

"He is very knowledgable about our program through MSU's swimming affiliation with the Sun Belt Conference, and I have no doubt he will be a visible member in the New Orleans swimming community.”

Horner is also well-versed in the Mid-Major swimming community. While at Missouri State, Horner coordinated the CollegeSwimming.com Mid-Major Top 25, a service he will continue to perform at New Orleans.

Horner has experience at virtually every level of competitive swimming. Prior to coaching at MSU, the Canton, Mo., native began his career at Springfield Parkview High School in 1994 before spending three years at Kickapoo High School.

In 1997, Horner was named the Missouri coach of the year in boys’ swimming after leading the Chiefs to the Ozark Conference Championship.

He was a two-year member of the Bear swim team before earning his bachelor’s degree in elementary education at MSU in 1994.

“I cannot wait to get started building on the strides made by Ashley Tappin at UNO,” Horner said. “I know it is a rebuilding process following Hurricane Katrina, and I want to be a part of helping the university move forward.”