Former Texas A&M men’s swimmer Alex Dawson was hired
as the new director of operations for the Aggie men’s and women’s swimming &
diving programs on Monday.

Dawson replaces Tia Buchanan who left for the women’s assistant coaching
position at the University of Miami (Fla.) last month.

“We are really pleased to have Alex join our staff,” A&M men’s swimming head
coach Jay Holmes said. “Ever since we brought him in as an athlete, he has
done everything we have asked him to do. He lives and breathes Texas A&M
athletics and Texas A&M swimming & diving. He has always been very tuned in
to the sport and what is going on at different levels. He was almost like a
player-coach for us during his time as an athlete. We valued his opinions
while he was swimming and we look forward to using him as a valuable
resource as we continue to point our programs in the right direction.”

Dawson was a four-year letterman for the Aggies from 2003-06, serving as
team captain during his senior season. He was the leadoff leg on the Aggies’
honorable mention All-American 200-yard medley relay team at the 2005 NCAA
Championships in Minneapolis and ranks third in A&M history in both the
200-yard breaststroke and 200-yard individual medley.

“We hated to lose Tia but Alex is somebody that we know is very interested
in swimming and very knowledgeable about the sport,” A&M’s women’s head
coach Steve Bultman said. “He’s definitely excited to be here and we know
he’ll do what it takes to help us continue to build champions.”

Dawson spent this last semester completing the requirements towards a
bachelor’s of science degree in sport management by serving as the national
team intern for USA Swimming at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado
Springs. While there, Dawson spent time researching lactate clearance for
the Sport Science staff and analyzing race databases and editing video for
the national team athletes and coaches as well as taking part in multiple
national team camps.

“I had an instant connection with the spirit of this university from the
moment I first set foot on campus back in 2002,” Dawson said. “I am
extremely grateful to all the coaches for allowing me the chance to give
back to the place that has given me so much. My two biggest passions are for
the sport of swimming and for Texas A&M University. I could not ask for a
better opportunity to continue the great swimming and diving tradition at
this institution.”