Colorado Mesa University Athletic Director Tom Spicer announced that Geoff Hanson has been hired as head men's and women's swimming and diving coach.
Hanson previously served as the head women's swimming and diving coach at RMAC foe Western State for the past two seasons.
Hanson was named the RMAC Women's Coach of the Year in 2016 and coached RMAC Freshman of the Year Randi Yarnell who became the first swimming All-American in WSCU history. The Mountaineers won the Bechler Award for the team with the highest GPA in 2015.
"We are very fortunate to have a person of Geoff's quality and background join our staff! We are excited to see our student-athletes reach new heights and experience positive life growth while participating in our swimming and diving program," said Tom Spicer.
Prior to his time at Western State, Hanson served as the associate head coach at the University of Arizona for two years and was an assistant head coach at the University of Wisconsin for 10 years after serving as assistant coach for two years.
Hanson served as the personal coach of Carly Piper who won a gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and set a world record in the 4x200 freestyle relay. He also coached Alyssa Anderson who won a gold medal in the 4x200 freestyle relay at the 2012 London Olympics. Hanson has coached five Olympic finalists, three NCAA Individual National Champions and 32 NCAA All-Americans.
"I am extremely excited to become the next head coach at Colorado Mesa University and I want to thank Director of Athletics, Tom Spicer, and President Foster for the opportunity to lead the program," said Geoff Hanson. "The tremendous support that comes from the administration for the swimming and diving teams, as well as the campus location, resources and amazing facility put us in a fantastic position to reach new heights and fulfill the potential of the program. I believe that the student-athlete experience at CMU, both academically and athletically, is as good as anywhere in the nation and I look forward to being a part of the campus community."
Hanson swam collegiately at Arizona earning All-American honorable mention accolades. He was a two-time USA Swimming National Finalist and earned the Mary Roby Academic/Athletic Achievement Award. Hanson earned All-Academic Pac-10 honors and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in history with a minor in sociology.
Hanson will begin his duties on May 16.
