Gophers swiming coach Terry Ganley retires after 44 seasons

Terry Ganley, the longest-tenured coach in the history of Gopher athletics, announced her retirement after 44 seasons with the women's and men's swimming and diving programs.

When the two programs merged in 2011, Kelly Kremer was named the overall head coach and Ganley continued in her role as women's head coach. More recently, she moved into her current role as senior associate head coach for both programs.

Ganley helped lead the Gophers to seven team Big Ten Championships and 17 NCAA top-15 finishes. On her watch, the Gophers won 15 individual national titles and earned All-America honors 299 times. Her teams also won 147 Big Ten championships, and her women's program amassed a dual meet record of 318-83-5 during the 44 seasons.

"Today I had the privilege to do something that not many people get to do," Ganley said Tuesday. "I was able to announce my retirement from the place where I spent four years as a student-athlete and then coached for 44 years. Maroon and Gold is and always will be home for me.

"It was an honor to teach, coach and mentor the young women and men of this great program. I am truly blessed to have spent my career as a Gopher."

The Minneapolis native began her Gophers career in the fall of 1973 as a freshman swimmer and has remained on campus ever since. She won her first Big Ten title in 1974, winning the 50-yard backstroke. She would advance to the AIAW National Championships and, becoming Minnesota's first female All-America in any sport.