LSU Swimming...Is this the worst performing sport for LSU currently?

The swimming facilities are garbage.

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Is this the worst performing sport for LSU currently? Crazy to me when there are elite kids at Catholic & Parkview every year. I know its not a hot button issue but LSU is awful for some reason. Anyone know this coach?

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There are no elite Programs in Louisiana at the high school level right now. There were a when COSST and Crawfish were at their peak, but they aren’t the programs they have been in the past.

LSU Swimming is a result of both a terrible high school/under 18 development program and terrible facilities statewide as well as on campus.

That being said, LSU does have things going for it. They have the best diver in the SEC, he has already won the 1 meter. And they have likely the best sprinter in the SEC as well in Brooks Curry. Brooks is a Sophomore, who was the SEC champion in the 100 meter freestyle. This year he will could repeat in the 100, but also has a shot at winning the 50 and 200 yard freestyle.


Edit: I should say there are a few programs and clubs within Louisiana that are doing a great job and trying to be elite. But honestly, they have their work cut out for them based on how the state has invested in the sport and how the high school season is set up. Basically they are really at a disadvantage when compared to other states. Especially your power house states like Texas, California, Georgia, and Florida.

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There are no elite swimmers in Louisiana at the high school level

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Are you kidding me? Auburn just signed two kids out of E.D. White. One of them has just in the last two months qualified for the Olympic trials. Another kid that swims at crawfish just signed with Louisville, another just committed to Georgia Tech. Those four boys are all ranked as some of the best in the country. All from Louisiana.

The reason why LSU does not have a good swimming program is because of Dave Geyer. Who wants to go swim for a coach that comes in last year in and year out.

The only reason LSU scores points in the SEC is because of the diving program which Geyer doesn't coach. He couldn't teach someone how to do a cannonball.

It's a shame that Woodward has not made any changes in leadership. Bottom line is LSU needs a new coach. Bring a new good coach in and good swimmers will come.

Figured someone would say something along these lines. Truth is pretty much no parents in Louisiana know what an elite program is unless they are parents of the maybe 10 kids in the state that qualify for Senior National level meets. Those parents go and see teams where 10 kids all on the same team have qualified for olympic trials. Where qualifying for trials is not exceptional, instead it is expected.

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The only reason LSU scores points in the SEC is because of the diving program which Geyer doesn't coach.

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While the diving coach is great you really aren't giving Geyer any credit for having a freshman win the SEC's in the 100 yd free. A kid who dropped 2.5 seconds to do that, which means that coaching and development really came into play as a factor for that. This kid legitimately has an outside change to qualify for the olympics this year. If so he is essentially guaranteed a gold medal.

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Bring a new good coach in and good swimmers will come.

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Not true, as evidenced by the fact that people have said that for the last 4 head coaching hires (30 years). In fact the last/only coach to win an SEC championship in swimming at LSU was Sam Freas in 88. Conveniently 4 years after the completion of the current LSU Nat, meaning he was able to fully recruit a team based on the facility.

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Are you kidding me? Auburn just signed two kids out of E.D. White. One of them has just in the last two months qualified for the Olympic trials. Another kid that swims at crawfish just signed with Louisville, another just committed to Georgia Tech. Those four boys are all ranked as some of the best in the country. All from Louisiana.

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Again, this does not constitute an elite program. An elite program would be putting 4-8 kids into a D1 school annually and would have 2-3 kids per year qualify for the Olympic trials. There are essentially 2 great programs in Louisiana, COSST in Shreveport and Crawfish in Baton Rouge. From time to time there are some good swimmers that come out of NOLA, but unfortunately not often enough. I don't fault the programs, they are really hamstrung by population size of the state, investment into the sport by the state, the poor scheduling of the high school schedule by the state (I think its 3 months long) and lack of Regional or National level meets within the state.

COSST in Shreveport? Come on, program doesn’t even exist, combined with Y in S’port. You’re views are 5 years out of date

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There are no elite swimmers in Louisiana at the high school level


Are you kidding me? Auburn just signed two kids out of E.D. White. One of them has just in the last two months qualified for the Olympic trials. Another kid that swims at crawfish just signed with Louisville, another just committed to Georgia Tech. Those four boys are all ranked as some of the best in the country. All from Louisiana.

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Sorry this was poor phrasing by me, I should not be saying there are no elite swimmers in Louisiana that is not correct, they come around every so often. What I really mean is that there are no elite swimming programs in Louisiana that develop elite swimmers year over year and place kids on the best of the best teams like University of Texas, Georgia, FLorida, etc. Back in the day you could probably say that Crawfish could do this, but they arent operating quite as well as they used to.

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The elite swimmers don’t want to swim for LSU. Quit the facilities are bad false narrative, the pool has been closed 3 of last 4 summers for updates and repairs, millions in improvements

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Worst pool in the SEC, school shouldn't put any money into it, wasting all of your TAF money.

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When is the last time you kept up with swimming in Louisiana? Literally last night a girl from Lafayette was top 8 for Georgia,

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I will say I mainly look at men's swimming so I will admit I missed this, this girl is elite for sure.

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The elite swimmers don’t want to swim for LSU.

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This is true, and it is a lasting affect from years before I swam at LSU a few coaches ago. There is a culture that Louisiana club has had that if you want to be successful you have to leave the state.

I know nothing about swimming.

I will say that LSU probably doesn’t care to hire anyone good because it costs the school money. The program is in the red and always will be (which is expected).

Look at women’s basketball for example. Do you think LSU is going to invest in a top tier women’s coach when there is barely any support and the program is in red at all times?

The elite swimmers don’t want to swim for LSU. Quit the facilities are bad false narrative, the pool has been closed 3 of last 4 summers for updates and repairs, millions in improvements


Been to UGA, UK, Tenn, UF, USCe, Auburn and they are all substantially better than LSU’ s facility. Might want to get out and visit a few places.

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He couldn't teach someone how to do a cannonball

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Lol that’s pretty good